From 3 to 5 September 2015, the Global Conference on Money in Politics brought together leaders and inspirational speakers from around the world to discuss how to tackle the most pressing issues of money in politics today and to concentrate on solutions. The Global Conference was hosted by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary of Mexico (TEPJF), in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the National Electoral Institute (INE).

Justice Marin Mrčela, President of GRECO, underscored at the high level section of the event the need to stimulate the political commitment to fight corruption wherever it occurs and whoever it implicates, and to build up, recast and maintain confidence in systems, institutions and decision-makers. Effective transparency, oversight and enforcement of party funding rules are crucial in order to boost credibility in political institutions. There must be a unified, comprehensive and coherent response to the role of money in politics. 

GRECO facilitated a working group on regional and international inter-agency collaboration for the enforcement of political finance, where it teamed up with partner organisations leading the field, including the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC). This workshop advanced the debate on how international recommendations can be used as a toolkit for change in national politics. There is no one size fits all recipe for success, but the combination of external pressure and inclusive engagement of internal actors can certainly lead to more sustainable, convincing and efficient reform. GRECO’s monitoring has definitely sparked debate and has forced many of its members to take a profound, honest look at the relevant regulations, implementation bodies and structures.  

Further information on this event is available at www.moneyinpolitics.info.