European poll reveals widespread concern about EU Transparency
Vast majority of people want more transparency, ethics and lobbying regulation
Brussels, January 31, 2013 – A majority of people across Europe are concerned about ethics and lobbying in European Union policy-making, and want better regulation of lobbyists, as well as increased transparency of the EU, according to a new opinion poll. [1]
The poll conducted by TNS opinion, and completed by over 6,000 people in six European countries, reveals that three quarters (73%) of respondents are concerned that lobbyists representing the business sector have too much influence on EU decisions. 80% of those surveyed believe there should be mandatory regulation of lobbying to ensure a balanced participation of different interests in decision-making.
The results come at the beginning of the European Year of Citizens, which aims to stimulate dialogue between governments and society, and thereby better engage citizens in debates and decisions that affect them. [2]
Access Info Europe and the Foundation Civio have asked that political parties are included in the future of Transparency Law
Madrid, 11 February 2013- Three weeks ago, Access Info Europe and Tuderechoasaber.es platform jointly launched a petition on Change.org to demand that political parties be included in future Transparency Law which has already exceeded 160,000 signatures.
Members of various political groups have recently stated to media that are in favor of including political parties in the future Transparency Law. Carlos Floriano, Deputy Secretary of Organization of PP, Elena Valenciano, Deputy Secretary General of the PSOE, Irene Lozano, national representative of Union Progress and Democracy (UPyD) and even the Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, declared to be agree, among others.
You did it! In 15 days we raised over €10,000
Madrid, 30 January 2013 — A massive public response to Access Info's January fundraising campaign brought in a little over ttle over €10,000 in mostly modest donations from members of the public.
A big "Thank You" from the Access Info Europe team!
Help us pay the €3000 costs for defending the right to information!
Madrid, 11 January 2013 — Access Info today launched a campaign to raise €3000 for costs it has to pay to the Spanish government after the Supreme Court ruled that the pro-transparency NGO does not have the right to ask what the Spanish government is doing to fight corruption.
Access Info has lost a last appeal against the costs imposed after a five-year legal battle to obtain a response to an information request asking what Spain is doing to implement the UN Convention against Corruption.
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