Flip flop on electoral financing

(newsroompanama.com) President Ricardo Martinelli did another back flip at the end of the week, announcing that he will reduce, but not eliminate, public funding for political parties.

After having announced repeatedly since Sept. 29 that the elimination of subsidies for political parties was "a done deal," the president abruptly changed his stance. Now, he says, he will reduce the subsidies, which has grown to more than $30 million in election years.

Martinelli announced his decision to eliminate the subsidies in September so that he could use the money to boost the pensions of retirees.
The president did not address that issue when he made the announcement but the promised pension increase will have to come from from other sources.

Martinelli was criticized for ending the subsidies because it was seen by many as a way to weaken political parties not currently in power. They also said it would allow private donors to corrupt the political process and allow drug cartel money into government.

But Martinelli also created a problem for himself when he said that he was making the decision unilaterally, and not seeking input from the Election Reform Commission or the Tribunal Electoral.

Tribunal Electoral Judge Gerardo Solis said that the president should consult the entity, as it is in charge of electoral issues.

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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: October 10, 2010.