New legislation foresees budget as source of political party financing

A bill was recently introduced to the Sejm that would call for all political parties to be financed entirely from state budget sources. If enacted, the state would be required to spend roughly zl.112 million yearly on the activities of the parties, which, in turn, would not be allowed to accept money from companies or conduct other for-profit business activities. "This is a good solution since financing parties through business is the way political corruption comes about," says Mariusz Kaminski from Solidarity Election Action (AWS). The existing system makes it possible for parties to receive funding from a number of sources, which awakens the suspicion that parties are more likely to support legislation favoring the interests of the companies and other organizations backing them, according to Jerzy Wierchowicz from the Freedom Union (UW). (Zycie, p.7)