The EU is tightening its restrictions on the disclosure of its activities and documents. Of particular concern is the pending legislation on information security, which would introduce security classifications for documents in all policy areas.
The pioneering Aarhus Convention protects three procedural rights — access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters — in pursuit environmental democracy. Last week the EU Commission tried to undermine and weaken it.
As a researcher, following the Ursula von der Leyen presidency demonstrates its attitude towards participatory democracy has been a journey from disbelief to frustration, and then to worry and anger, warns professor Päivi Leino-Sandberg.