Unlike Mexico, the world is regulated that donations to political parties and candidates are made through the banking system, revealed a study by the Belisario Dominguez Senate Institute.

According to the analysis, setting regulations in this regard would reduce “the possibility that money from corruption or illegal business” is used by political forces and competitors as part of their private financing.

“Based on an international comparative analysis of guidelines on private financing of political parties and candidates, it was observed that Mexico, in general, tends to maintain a more conservative position on the issues analyzed compared to most countries in the world.

“However, it appears that with respect to the provision requiring contributions to political parties/candidates to pass through the banking system, Mexico contradicts the point of most countries in the world, because in our country this does not exist. which can reduce the likelihood that money from acts of corruption or illicit business goes into financing political parties and candidates,” the document excerpts in conclusion.

OECD overview

Of the 38 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mexico stands out, along with Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, France and Israel.

Likewise South Korea, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey, among which there is no provision requiring donations to parties and candidates through the banking system.

In Colombia, Lithuania and Luxembourg, the law provides for this.

Regarding Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States of America, no information is available on this subject.

The document entitled “International Comparative Analysis of Guidelines on Private Financing for Political Parties and Candidates”, compiled by researcher Jaime Del Río based on information from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), states that at the OECD level At 44.7% of countries that are members of international organizations, including Mexico, there are restrictions on donations in kind to candidates.

Regarding in-kind donations to political parties, in 55.3% of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, including Mexico, there are restrictions.

what the law says

Personal contributions to parties in Mexico are regulated by the General Law of Political Parties.

In Chapter II, the norm stipulates that the parties may not receive financing from companies or other authorities; foreign or other political institutions.

The annual contribution limit will correspond, by law, to 2% of the public financing the party receives in a year. (With editorial information)

rolando.ramos@elecononomista.mx