Germany's CDU/CSU Pushes to Abolish Key Transparency Law in Coalition Talks

The proposed abolition of the Information Freedom Act, led by Philipp Amthor, faces strong opposition as negotiations with the SPD continue.

The CDU/CSU has proposed abolishing the Information Freedom Act (IFG) during coalition negotiations with the SPD, citing bureaucratic burdens as justification.
The IFG, in place since 2006, has been a cornerstone of government transparency, enabling journalists and activists to expose misconduct and hold officials accountable.
Philipp Amthor, a CDU lawmaker previously implicated in a scandal revealed through the IFG, is leading the working group advocating for its removal.
The SPD has not yet agreed to the proposal, while opposition parties, journalists, and civil society groups have criticized it as a threat to democracy and accountability.
The Green Party and transparency advocates are calling for an expansion of the IFG, emphasizing its importance in fostering public trust and modernizing governance.