The European Commission is standing by its use of MEPs in legal brainstorming teams called "high-level working groups" despite internal and parliamentary concerns over democratic standards.
"This is part of our better regulation agenda," commission spokesman Gregor Kreuzhuber said, explaining that the groups are linked to industry commissioner Gunther Verheugen's 2005 plan to make fewer legal proposals that end up in the bin.
The informal groups bring together MEPs, member state...
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Already a member? Login hereAndrew Rettman is EUobserver's Foreign Affairs Editor. He has been writing about foreign and security affairs for EUobserver since 2005. He is Polish but grew up in the UK. He has also written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times of London.
Andrew Rettman is EUobserver's Foreign Affairs Editor. He has been writing about foreign and security affairs for EUobserver since 2005. He is Polish but grew up in the UK. He has also written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times of London.