Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
Publication
Report/Paper
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
Publication
Report/Paper
A Lebanon Political Primer
IFES-Lebanon has released the third briefing paper for the June 7, 2009 Lebanese election. This latest paper provides information about the parties that make up the two blocks or alliances in parliament, known as March 14 and March 8.
May 13, 2009
News & Updates
Feature
Images from the Lebanon June 7, 2009 Elections, Part 2
IFES staff members capture images from the highly anticipated Lebanese parliamentary elections. Unexpectedly, the March 14th parliamentary block, not Hezbollah's coalition, won the majority of the seats.
Publication
Book
Public Funding Solutions for Political Parties in Muslim-Majority Societies
An innovative, first-of-its-kind publication that explores the role of public funding in democracy development in Muslim-majority countries is being released today by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
July 21, 2009
Publication
Report/Paper
The Political Finance Framework in Lebanon
In this report Dr. Magnus Ohman provides an analysis of the oversight mechanisms put in place for the 2009 Parliamentary elections in Lebanon.
August 01, 2009
Publication
Report/Paper
Briefing Paper on Lebanon's Parliamentary Blocs
On June 7, 2009, Lebanon held parliamentary elections that resulted in a majority of 71 deputies and an opposition of 57 deputies. Each coalition is composed of different political parties and independent deputies. On August 31, the Majority forces held a meeting at the residence of designate Prime Minister Saad Hariri which resulted in a change of composition with 69 deputies for the majority, 57 for the opposition and 2 independents.
September 02, 2009
Publication
Report/Paper
Lebanon’s New Government
Five months after the June 7 elections, and following protracted wrangling between the different Lebanese political factions over the allocation of portfolios, the proposed members of the Council of Ministers were today announced by President Michel Sleiman and the Prime Minister designate, Saad Hariri.
November 08, 2009
Publication
Report/Paper
Focus on Lebanon | Control of Financial Assets Topic Brief
This topic brief presents key findings about asset control based on data from the 2009 SWMENA survey in Lebanon. It includes an analysis of women’s control over assets, focusing on how earnings are spent, financial decision making and control over personal property and financial savings.
February 18, 2010
Publication
Report/Paper
Focus on Lebanon | Lobby Training Manual
Lobbying is a critical component of the democratic process. The essence of representative government is that policymakers should be representing the needs of their constituencies when they pass laws.
August 23, 2010