In 2026, the European Union is facing growing battles over transparency in 2026, with critics warning that recent efforts to expand secrecy could make it much harder for the public and even some lawmakers to access key documents and follow decision-making. EUobserver’s “Secrecy Tracker” attempts to broaden the scope of classified information under a proposed Information Security Regulation could see ordinary internal EU working papers restricted behind “need-to-know” rules, raising concerns among transparency advocates. These conflicts involve high-profile cases, including the European Commission’s refusal to release text messages between top officials and industry leaders. Ultimately, the outcome of these transparency disputes will define the level of accountability the public can expect from EU leadership during this legislative term.
Date: February 3, 2026. Source: euobserver.com