You are invited to participate in an open debate about transparency and lobby influence in Europe with European Parliament candidates

You are invited to participate in an open debate about transparency and lobby influence in Europe with European Parliament candidates Madrid, 10 April 2014 – As a part of the campaign , Access Info has organised an open debate on Wednesday 23 April on the European elections. The event will take place at the Press Association of Madrid (Asociación de la prensa de Madrid) with the participation (to be confirmed) of European election candidates from Popular Party, Socialist Party (PSOE), Union for Progress and Democracy, United Left, Equo and representatives of other parties. Candidates will discuss the issues of transparency, the influence of lobbies in the European Union and the importance of making policies for citizens, not for big companies. María Rosa Rotondo from the Institutional Relations Professionals Association, and a specialist in lobbying matters, will moderate the talks. Participate! The event is open to all who wish to participate. Moreover, we encourage the public to address questions to the candidates about the regulation of lobbying, transparency in the EU and how to curb the excessive influence of big banks and big business in European decision-making. Those who cannot be present will still get the chance to submit questions via Twitter, using the hashtag #PforPMAD or by sending an email to luisa@access-info.org. In addition, you can watch the debate in streaming via our web page. Así mismo, el acto se podrá seguir en streaming a través de nuestra página web. ¡Join us! The debate will take place: · Wednesday 23 April · 19:00 to 20:30 · Asociación de la Prensa de Madrid · Calle Juan Bravo nº6, 28006, Madrid · Entrance via Calle Claudio Coello nº98 For more information about the ‘Politics for People’ campaign and how you can take part in it visit the website www.politicsforpeople.eu The debate is open to everyone and there is no need to register beforehand. However, if you already have a question in mind for the candidates, you can send it through this form. Candidates Florent Marcellesi (EQUO), confirmed Beatriz Becerra (UPyD), confirmed Tasio Oliver (IU), confirmed Salvador Garriga Polledo (PP), confirmed Enrique Guerrero (PSOE) confirmed Contact Luisa Izuzquiza| Access Info Europe luisa@access-info.org Notas para el editor [1] ‘Politics for People. Stop Banks and big business taking over our democracy’ is a campaign coordinated by more than 65 organizations from 19 European countries. Its goal is to convince MEP candidates to commit to fighting for transparency in the European Union. More information about the campaign and how to participate in it can be found at http://www.politicsforpeople.eu Join us The open debate will take place » On Wednesday April 23 » From 19:00 to 20:30 » In the Assembly hall of the Asociación de la Prensa de Madrid » Calle Juan Bravo nº6, 28006, Madrid » Entry through Calle Claudio Coello nº98 For more information about the ‘Politics for People’ campaign and how you can take part in it visit the website www.politicsforpeople.eu The debate is open to everyone and there is no need to register beforehand. However, if you already have a question in mind for the candidates, you can send it through this form.