U.S. Expert Talks about Political Parties Financing

November 39, 2011

Craig Holman speaks at the seminar in Prague.

Craig Holman, Government Affairs Lobbyist for Public Citizen, a U.S.-based advocacy group, visited Prague on November 22—23 to address issues of political party financing as part of the international seminar, “Increasing the Transparency of Political Parties Financing.”

The event was organized by Transparency International and Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the British Embassy, U.S. Embassy and other partners. The seminar’s aim was in depth discussion of legislative changes, which could lead to increased transparency and more effective supervision of political parties and election campaigns.

In addition to the seminar, Dr. Holman shared his experiences with representatives of the Governmental Committee of the Fight against Corruption. The newly formed office is responsible for implementing the Czech Anti-Corruption Strategy. The office is also cooperating with the Ministry of Interior to draft political party financing legislation.

Dr. Holman pointed out that the Czech and U.S. election systems are different, but stressed that transparency rules can be used and implemented in either a candidate or party driven system. Dr. Holman also addressed students at Charles University in Prague to outline the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United v. FEC case.

Craig Holman, PhD. is a Government Affairs Lobbyist for Public Citizen, a leading organization promoting U.S. government transparency. Holman is a widely recognized scholar and advocate in the U.S. in both lobbying reform and campaign finance reform. Previously, he was Senior Policy Analyst at the Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law.