On October 08 we might witness the first step of Ukraine towards political corruption reduction. That’s when the Parliament is going to consider the bill related to transparency of political party financing
On October 08 we might witness the first step of Ukraine towards political corruption reduction. That’s when the Parliament is going to consider the bill related to transparency of political party financing (No. 2123a). Either the society will have real political parties, or instead the Verkhovna Rada will be represented by special interest groups of oligarchs – it all depends on MPs.
Transparency International Ukraine, Centre for Political Studies and analysis, and Reanimation Package of Reforms appeal to the MPs to adopt the decision necessary for the country and introduce the European rules of control over political party finances. The key demands of the society concerning the political party reform are 1) introduction of administrative and criminal liability for the parties who fail to keep to financial discipline; 2) disclosure of information on big party donors; and 3) public financing. In case parties keep on failing to adhere to clear procedures of financial transparency and accountability, this would mean they represent the interests of oligarchs, but not the voters.
We hope that soon Europeans standards of party activities will be operating in Ukraine. Then the humiliating notions, i.e. buying votes for food, will just vanish. Less paid journalism will appear in media, and obstructive political propaganda on TV will stop hypnotizing people.
Anti-corruption activists will control the results of voting for the bill 2123а. The MPs efforts will show who is ready for anti-corruption changes, and who still wants to be kept by rich businessmen.
Reminder: the bill 2123а was adopted in the first reading in July 2015. 245 MPs supported it; 2 representatives of the Opposition Bloc voted against, all the rest abstained.
Implementation of the project “Bring Transparent Funds for Parties and Election Campaigns in Ukraine” became possible due to the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.
Contacts: Olga Tymchenko, Transparency International Ukraine, +38 050 352 9618
