The SPD faction leader, Matthias Miersch, has defended the planned reform of the Freedom of Information Act (IFG). Speaking to the news magazine Focus, the party chairman stated that they are witnessing clear-cut misuse, noting that this misuse is also originating from foreign sources. He emphasized that the goal is not to conceal anything, and the original purpose of the law will remain intact. However, he pointed out that the system needed to address the situation where vast numbers of civil servants are tied up due to what he described as partially abusive requests. Miersch added that this issue could be addressed without leading to hyperbolic claims about the downfall of the West. When asked whether non-governmental organizations or media companies would still be able to submit IFG requests to authorities without limitations or high costs, the social democrat unequivocally clarified that ensuring NGOs and media retain access to information “is completely beyond question” for him.
Politics
