On 24 June 2026, the Council of the European Union is scheduled to vote on approving a draft reply to confirmatory application 24/c/04/26, which concerns public access to documents. The Council will also decide whether to make public the result of the vote, revealing how each member state voted.
The draft reply, contained in document 9041/26, was prepared following consultations with the Working Party on Information, which was consulted in writing from 10 June to 17 June 2026. The Working Party unanimously agreed on the draft reply. The Permanent Representatives Committee has recommended that the Council approve the draft and disclose the voting outcome.
This procedural step follows a request for access to Council documents under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. The confirmatory application process allows applicants to request a review of an initial refusal of access. The Council's decision on 24 June will determine whether the requested documents are released and whether the voting positions of member states on this matter become public.
The outcome will affect transparency stakeholders, including civil society groups and journalists who seek greater insight into Council decision-making. If the Council approves disclosure of the vote, it will set a precedent for future transparency on access-to-documents decisions. Conversely, a decision not to disclose could be seen as a step back from openness.
No prior coverage of this specific confirmatory application exists in recent records.