Ministers agree to unlimited campaign financing

The cabinet has agreed to scratch a law that had limited election campaign financing to Sk12 million (€286,000), on the grounds that the law was ineffective, the daily SME reports.

Non-governmental organisations have been warning about the weaknesses of the law since 1994. However, they also warn that once the law is cancelled, there would be no way to publicly control campaign spending.

President of Transparency International Emília Sičáková-Beblavá stresses the importance of preserving some kind of financial limit and claims that it is essential to have clear rules.

However, Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš claimed that a revision to the law on political parties would deal with the whole issue of party financing.

Chairman of the anti-corruption unit of the Cabinet Office Jan Hrubala thinks that the cancellation of the campaign costs limit is premature. "Several international institutions recommend limiting expenditures for election campaigns," Mr. Hrubala told SITA news agency.

Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

28. Aug 2003 at 13:59