Poll reveals strong support for party funding rules

The vast majority of respondents to a timesofmalta.com poll believe there should be a law to regulate donations to political parties.

Just seven per cent feel parties should receive assistance from the state, though nearly a quarter of respondents have no objection provided such assistance is combined with regulation.

The poll question was raised in the wake of a recent Cabinet approval of a proposal by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for the government to enter into discussions over the funding of political parties.

Malta is one of the few European countries that does not oblige political parties to disclose their sources of funding. Many respondents to the poll made it clear they were staunchly against any form of state funding to the parties.

One summed it up: "If it happens, I will open my own party to get state assistance" and another recalled that the state's coffers were funded by the taxpayer.

"If the political parties decide to fund themselves from my taxes they can kiss my vote goodbye."

Respondents said it was interesting to note that the two parties have traditionally disagreed on every decision except when it was mutually beneficial in order to maintain their political hegemony.

Malta needed a transparent system where companies and individuals are accountable for their actions and the public should be made aware as to who is donating what to which party.

Some respondents underlined the need to reduce the financial strength of political parties to preserve democracy.

One suggested that any law to regulate donations should consist of thresholds far less than the amounts of Lm10,000 to Lm20,000 currently being bandied about. Setting thresholds in the region of Lm2,500 would mean exposing more donors.

Several respondents said contractors were the prime source of finance to political parties, and this, some believe, is tantamount to bribery.

Though many called for more control, one respondent said regulations never solved any problems but provoked underhand payments instead.