Full transparency in politics: In Winterthur, among other things, large donations are to be shown by name, with “live updates” before elections and votes. The opponents fear a chaos of bureaucracy.
Posted today at 8:00 p.m.—
–Election poster from Mayor Michael Künzle for the last general renewal elections in 2018.
Archive photo: Enzo Lopardo
Where does the money come from to win elections and votes? Little is known about this in practically all of Switzerland. There are no transparency rules for the financing of political parties or for election and voting campaigns. That should change in Winterthur.
A majority of the municipal council signed a motion to this effect. Behind it are the center-left parties, which make up more than half of the 60 members of the city’s parliament. The city council should therefore set the following rules:
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Parties have to disclose their finances every year.
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People and organizations who run election or voting campaigns must also make their finances public before the respective polls.
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Donations over 5,000 francs must be identified by name, adding up several donations from the same person.
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Anonymous donations are only allowed up to an amount of 100 francs per person.
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