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Lithuania: Money and Politics Case Study
Lithuania has rapidly developed both politically and economically since emerging from the Soviet Union in 1991. While the country has built a functioning parliamentary system of government, has become a member of NATO, and is on the verge of joining the European Union, it still faces many problems associated with the many consolidating democracies around the world. As in all democracies, populations need to trust that those they elect will represent their interests. Problems such as corruption, weaknesses in laws concerning the political financing, and unaccounted for political income and expenditures threaten the credibility of the process and hinder the speed at which democracy is consolidated. Additionally, Lithuania lacks the high level of vibrant debate about the issue of political financing among scholars, journalists and civil society bodies required to promote meaningful reform. Recognizing this, Lithuania has developed an independent Central Electoral Committee (CEC) and adopted laws requiring detailed and public disclosure of political finance accounts. Prior to conducting Money and Politics programming in Lithuania, the CEC had made a demonstrable interest in making information public. While scanning summary report of accounts and placing them on the internet, the user could not search, not easily compare and analyze the information. Interested parties were required to make an appointment to view more detailed, paper-based information. Further, while the Tax Authorities are required to audit final political party reports, enforcement is widely considered to be weak. Few, if any, cases of political finance violations have been forwarded and investigated, not to mention prosecuted. By addressing the difficult issues surrounding political finance with the support of IFES in 2002 and 2003, Lithuania is emerging as a model for other consolidating democracy to follow. Significant areas remain to be addressed. While Lithuania has taken concrete steps to reform political finance legislation, open political finance information to public scrutiny and oversight, and encourage debate, further efforts are required to actively enforce laws and regulations and raise the level of debate among the various governmental, legislative, and civil society groups. By addressing these areas, Lithuania has the potential for being an example of best practices while making local expertise and resources to other countries undergoing similar reforms.
December 31, 2002
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Contienda Electoral : El Financiamiento como reto para la Democracia
“Electoral Contests: Funding as a Challenge for Democracy” is an informative bulletin, available in both Spanish and English, published in 2002 by the “Elecciones Mexico” newsletter in Mexico. The bulletin includes articles on the financing of the political parties, funding as a challenge for democracy, transparent funding of political campaigns, the legitimacy of the Canadian federal electoral financing and articles on money and politics in Latin America and Great Britain .
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Los Delitos Electorales ?
“The Electoral Crimes?” is an informative brochure, available in Spanish, issued in 2000 by the Federal Electoral Institute in Mexico, in lead up to the July 2, 2000 Mexican General Elections. The brochure names a series of possible electoral crimes and it encourages the denouncement of such. Additionally, it briefly describes the concept of free and secret voting. Additionally, the brochure specifies the electoral crimes that could be committed by the election officials, political candidates/officials and the public officials.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Los Partidos Politicos
“The Political Parties” is an informative brochure, available in Spanish, published in 2000 by the Electoral Council of the State of Jalisco in Mexico in lead up to the July 2, 2000 Mexican General Elections. The brochure defines and describes political parties, their funding sources and function.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Naturaleza Y Atribuciones de la Fiscalia Especializada para la atencion de delitos Electorales?
“The Nature and Attributions of the Specialized Prosecution Office for Electoral Crimes” is an electoral law brochure, available in Spanish, published in 2000 by the FEPADE (Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Electoral Crimes) in Mexico, in lead up to the July 2, 2000 Mexican General Election. The brochure describes the prosecutor’s office that specializes in electoral crime. The brochure explains and describes its origins and objectives, as well as it identifies the law that deals with electoral crimes and the structural basis of the Mexican Political System.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Alianza por Mexico
“Allianza por Mexico (Alliance for Mexico)” is a campaign informative brochure, available in Spanish, published in 2000 by the “Allianza por Mexico” political party in Mexico. The brochure outlines the political party’s goals, beliefs, and proposals. Among their campaign goals are the approach they take on human rights, the environment and economic model.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Coaccion al Voto?
“Coercion to Vote” is an informative brochure, available in Spanish, issued in 2000 by the Federal Electoral Institute in Mexico, in lead up to the July 2, 2000 Mexican General Elections. The brochure explains the concept of forced votes and encourages the resistance to such voting. The brochure lists some of the recognized electoral crimes, before and during the Election Day.
Election Material
Civic Education Material