GONG: Some Political Parties Don�t Publish Financial Reports

GONG

GONG reported yesterday that a browsing of web-sites of political parties proves that some political parties don�t observe their obligation, prescribed by the Law on Financing of Political Parties, Independent Lists and Candidates, to publish their annual financial reports and balance sheets on the official web-sites.

According to the Sabor�s Committee on Constitutional Issues and Political System, which sent its opinion to GONG earlier this month, the said provision applies to political parties represented in the Parliament. Having in mind that only four parties published their 2006 financial reports (IDS, HSS, HNS and SDP), all the other parties are evidently involved in a gross violation of the Law.

In GONG�s view, the political parties can do whatever they want to demonstrate their transparency to the citizens, but at least they should respect the Laws they themselves voted for. The publication of sources and manners of financing of political parties is one of the foundations of transparent political action and responsibility towards the public.

For the Parliamentary Committee�s Opinion and the response of the National Audit to GONG�s request for information about financing of political parties, visit GONG�s web-site.