Online petition calls for end to political party donations

A PETITION has been delivered to Parliament with 57,000 signatures calling for all donations to political parties to be made illegal and for those who do to face criminal charges.

The 'More Democracy Forum' (Foro +Democracia) delivered the petition, started on the website change.org, to the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Relations, José Luis Ayllón.

It calls for donations from businesses, and any anonymous donations, to be made illegal and for the fund administrator to criminally liable for all accounting matters relating to the party he or she is appointed by.

Describing electoral programmes as 'contracts with the taxpayer', the Forum says promises made during pre-voting campaigns should be binding and the party required to account to the public on a regular basis, being held liable if they fail to comply.

Political parties should 'carry out their role effectively' as a 'public service' for the people they represent in order to 'develop society properly.