This article from NL Times reports ona study by the Open State Foundation, which found that Dutch cabinet members are not transparent abouttheir meetings with lobbyists. The study revealed that:
- Incomplete information: Only 13% of the information in cabinet members’ public agendas iscomplete, with many appointments not even being recorded.
- Missing appointments: Researchers identified 33 appointments mentioned on social media that were not listed in the publicagendas.
- No records: Six cabinet members, including Minister Eddy van Hijum (Social Affairs and Employment), do not keep any records of their meetings.
- Limited appointments: In July and August, only 160 appointments were registered by the 29 ministers and state secretaries, which the foundation considers remarkably low.
- Minister Fleur Agema (Public Health, Welfare, and Sport) had the most complete public agenda, reporting 11 appointmentswith all required information for 10 of them.
- Ten out of 15 ministries lacked complete information for a single appointment.
The study highlights a significant lack of transparency in the Dutch government, despite promises to promote transparency in the government program.
Key takeaways:
- The Schoof I Cabinethas made a completely false start in terms of transparency, according to the Open State Foundation.
- The current level of transparency is similar to the previous cabinet.
- The lack of transparency raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of lobbyists on government decisions.
Further investigation:
*It would be beneficial to investigate the reasons behind the lack of transparency, including potential obstacles or incentives for cabinet members to withhold information.
* It is important to understand the extent to which lobbyist meetings influence government decisions and policies.
* The article mentions that NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt is advocating for greater transparency. It would be interesting to explore his proposed solutions and their potential impact.
Overall, this article raises serious concerns about the lack of transparency in the Dutch government and the potential for undue influence by lobbyists. It is crucial for the government to address these concerns and implement measures to ensure greater transparency and accountability.
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