Martinelli plans to move funds from elections to pensions
(newsroompanama.com) Martinelli plans to move funds from election programs to retiree pensions
Money spent to help Panama’s political parties prepare for elections, will instead go to increasing pensions for retirees if President Ricardo has his way.
Predictably the move has been opposed by the parties and there are suggestions that the door would be opened for drug cartels to influence election results by providind funding.
Martinelli said on Wednesday that "subject to consideration by the National Assembly to remove the electoral allowance" the money will be spent tp increase payments to retirees by $50 a month.
The grant for the five years 2009-2014 is $33.7 million $13 .48 pre-election and $20.22 for elections elections. The fund was allocated to cover costs of nominations, conventions, advertising and operation of political parties.
The $ 50 monthly increase for retirees would mean about $38 million annually, according to estimates by the CSS.
Eladio Fernandez, a spokesman for the Association of Independent Retirees, said Martinelli's decision was "fair" and argues that political parties receive donations in the millions and do not need subsidies.
But on the agenda of the Electoral Reform Commission (NC SR) a proposal that seeking to regulate private donations in order to prevent dirty money funding political campaigns.
Milton Henriquez, chairman of the opposition Popular Party said "Martinelli is opening the door for drugs to get the political power through electoral funding." The President, was seeking to "taking silver from the parties so they cannot compete with his wallet, which supports his party [Democratic Change]."
Meanwhile, Francisco Sánchez C., President of the opposition Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), said the measure "is a pretext to justify injuries to the PRD." He said the party it will do "everything necessary, nationally and internationally, to reverse that decision."
"I do not agree, as such support allows the participation of candidates from all sectors and thus serves democracy," said Aníbal Galindo, president of the Patriotic Union.
Alcibiades Vasquez, vice president of the Panamanista Party, agreed with Galindo.Both said, however, would agree with the reduction in the amount of subsidy, "because the amount is exaggerated."
Money spent to help Panama’s political parties prepare for elections, will instead go to increasing pensions for retirees if President Ricardo has his way.
Predictably the move has been opposed by the parties and there are suggestions that the door would be opened for drug cartels to influence election results by providind funding.
Martinelli said on Wednesday that "subject to consideration by the National Assembly to remove the electoral allowance" the money will be spent tp increase payments to retirees by $50 a month.
The grant for the five years 2009-2014 is $33.7 million $13 .48 pre-election and $20.22 for elections elections. The fund was allocated to cover costs of nominations, conventions, advertising and operation of political parties.
The $ 50 monthly increase for retirees would mean about $38 million annually, according to estimates by the CSS.
Eladio Fernandez, a spokesman for the Association of Independent Retirees, said Martinelli's decision was "fair" and argues that political parties receive donations in the millions and do not need subsidies.
But on the agenda of the Electoral Reform Commission (NC SR) a proposal that seeking to regulate private donations in order to prevent dirty money funding political campaigns.
Milton Henriquez, chairman of the opposition Popular Party said "Martinelli is opening the door for drugs to get the political power through electoral funding." The President, was seeking to "taking silver from the parties so they cannot compete with his wallet, which supports his party [Democratic Change]."
Meanwhile, Francisco Sánchez C., President of the opposition Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), said the measure "is a pretext to justify injuries to the PRD." He said the party it will do "everything necessary, nationally and internationally, to reverse that decision."
"I do not agree, as such support allows the participation of candidates from all sectors and thus serves democracy," said Aníbal Galindo, president of the Patriotic Union.
Alcibiades Vasquez, vice president of the Panamanista Party, agreed with Galindo.Both said, however, would agree with the reduction in the amount of subsidy, "because the amount is exaggerated."
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Original Source: newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: October 1, 2010.
