AD asks PM to explain opposition to state-funding of political parties

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said that as things stand, there is “a free-for-all system” as regards donations to political parties.

“It is more than obvious that this has resulted in a system of political money laundering. In this case, some are more equal than others in their influence on political parties and there is no accounting system to trace this.”

Briguglio said the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (Greco) had opposed Malta's financing system. “Besides, the Prime Minister’s position is contradicted by the sum of money which Parliament has been voting every year to the political parties in parliament.”

David Friggieri, AD spokesperson for justice and home affairs, said that political party financing, alongside broadcasting and the electoral system, was another fundamental area where Maltese democracy is lagging behind.

“It is yet another mechanism which effectively entrenches the status quo to the exclusion of new entrants in the democratic process. While other countries have adopted a fair and transparent system whereby the State finances political parties according to the number of votes they obtain and whereby donations are regulated, the Prime Minister has now made a curt, blanket statement against state financing of political parties. We would like to know the exact reasons why the Prime Minister opposes the idea.”

Alternattiva Demokratika said it will giving its detailed feedback to the official proposals on party financing once it is officially consulted. AD’s current proposals on the financing of political parties can be read here (opens PDF).