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Accounting bookeeping for the political parties in Greece

09 January 2011 / 10:01:27  GRReporter
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Changes in the legal framework on the financing of political parties as well as the manner in which MPs declare their income will be the main highlights of the new bill of the Ministry of Interior, which is expected to be submitted for vote in the Greek Parliament.

In a communication of the Minister Yannis Ragousis with the new law will be changed:

- Financial control of political parties and MPs which from now on will be exercised by the Commission for review. It will involve mainly high judicial magistrates.

- Administrative penalties imposed on parties, candidates for MPs and third parties (in cases of violations and gray transactions), as well as the conditions on the process of withdrawal of parliamentary mandate.

- The manner in which the controlling Commission verifies the income of politicians. The aim is for it to be complete  and to mention the manner in which each asset is acquired. Monitoring will be carried out also after any change in wealth.

- The amount for the regular and election state funding of political parties, which will be reduced through a change in the calculation procedure.

- Regulation of revenues and their sources as well as of the expenditures of political parties and candidates for parliament. In this category are also included topics related to loans that parties receive.

- Rules for the management and publishing of information regarding the finances of parties and candidates for Parliament, so as to be ensured transparent financial management of all revenue and costs by their mandatory publication on the Internet.

According to the Minister of Interior the changes are made with the purpose of "laying the ethical foundations of politics". Yannis Ragousis said that "reforming the state requires us to face the shadow of the political system".

He confirmed his belief that he can achieve the greatest possible consensus, because, after examining the bill by the Scientific Committee within a month, the ministry will provide it for discussion to the political parties and MPs within the parliamentary committee on institutions and transparency. Then the bill will be submitted for vote in consistency with the provided parliamentary order.

In the communication of the Ministry of Interior is stressed that "the exit way of the severe crisis that was triggered in the country can not be permanent if not accompanied by a reform of the state and the political system as well as overcoming the tendency of neglecting politicians and politics, along with the "impact" over the "black" political money".

Members of the main opposition party New Democracy accused the government of PASOK, that it is late with making these changes. The spokesman Panos Panayotopoulos recalled that party leader Antonis Samaras year ago has made proposals for the "restoration of transparency in the political system and the elimination of corruption from the structures and functions of the Greek State.

Members of the extreme-right party LAOS also commented that leader George Karadzaferis as early as 2008 stated in parliament that "the parties and lawmakers can still do their work with less resources".

According to the leader of the newly established Democratic Alliance Dora Bakoyannis except for the change in the institutional framework are also needed more direct measures. She proposed for the state funding of parties to be reduced by 20 million. "This amount may be given to increase the allowances which are given to the lowest pensions. Secondly, let the state banks immediately stop granting loans to political parties based on guarantees of future funding after the end of this parliamentary term. Thirdly, to eliminate all funding and loans of all political parties which participated in the elections during the past 15 years".

So far, two parliamentary parties – the left coalition Sinaspizmos and the Communist Party did not comment on the bill of the Ministry of Interior. The lack of reaction from the Communists did not surprise anyone, because they refused for years to identify the sources of their funds and therefore are often in the epicenter of fierce disputes in the Greek Parliament.

 

Tags: Politics political parties members of the parliament financing transperancy book keeping elections state banks loans
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