The Norwegian Government is pleased to support Transparency’s project “improving the election system in Macedonia” and I would like to welcome this Round Table as an integral part of the project.
How political parties and campaigns are funded continues to be a widely debated topic in democratic countries. There is no blueprint applicable everywhere. Rules and regulations vary from country to country and the only thing we can do is to collect and analyse experiences when we want to establish our own system for financing of political parties and campaigns.
Nevertheless, there are a few common benchmarks that we want to meet in democratic countries with regard to today’s topic. Let me mention just three of these.
Firstly, the need for transparency. The models for financing may vary, but we will always need to know which models that are in place. This is not only about transparency, but also about accountability. Regardless of received contributions the political parties will probably benefit in the form of public trust if they keep their books open for everyone to check. Rules and regulations are needed, but also good will, moral and honesty.
Secondly, we do not like to believe that “money can buy politics”. Consequently, we envisage financing models which prevent contributions so big or with so many strings attached that they most likely are aimed at unduly influencing the adoption or excecution of certain policies. Admittingly, to design the best rules with regard to this aspect is a challenge. Continuous reflection and analysis is required.
Thirdly, in most democracies there are systems in place that ensure the political parties a certain degree of public financing. But a considerable number of criteria need to be applied in order to establish a model which is fair, which is not excessive and which is comprehended as a useful and not wasted contribution to our democratic system.
According to the EC progress report on Macedonia, released last month, this country has implemented important measures to ensure transparent and accountable financing of political parties. This is good news. It is also good news that we do not rest in peace, particularly in a field so fluid, so sensitive, so controversial and so hotly debated in many countries as the relationship between politics, political parties and financial donations of various kinds.
This roundtable has to be viewed in such a perspective. Issues have been resolved, but other challenges remain. It is my hope and belief that Transperancy, chapter Macedonia, will contribute constructively to identyfying further measures to regulate, in a fair and accountable manner, financing of political parties and political campaigns in this country.