22/11/2018 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament's Committees on Constitutional Affairs and Petitions gave their support on Thursday 22 November to the initiative of the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, who urged the EU Council to make its internal legislative work more transparent (see EUROPE 11960, 12087). "The Council is a black box and the biggest obstacle to a transparent legislative process", said Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany). He criticised the systematic refusal to publish certain documents, an approach that prevents national parliaments and the European Parliament from tracking decision-making. And to advocate for the online broadcasting of task force meetings, in order to prevent States from blaming Brussels for the decisions they have taken. (MB)