e alla fine...

...doveva succedere...
...it had to happen...

According to a report prepared by Transparency International Danmark and published in January 2012, the country's legislative structure has legislative loopholes which would allow big anonymous contribution to political parties. Who would want to give a lot of money to a party and remain anonymous? Good question.

In Denmark, campaign contributions over DKK 20,000 (approximately EUR 3,000) must be made public, although the actual amount may not be disclosed. However, the law does not cover, for example, a large number of donations within the limits, to many local branches or departments of the same party. Adding all contributions, the total amount could be far over DKK 20,000.

Poul Riiskjær Mogensen, chairman of Transparency International Denmark, said at the presentation: “We rely on politicians to act in the public interest, especially when they have to make difficult decisions in hard economic times. As long as the role of money in politics remains shrouded in secrecy, politicians are inviting speculation and mistrust among the public. Our study shows that Denmark’s civil service, justice system and other public officials are held to account. In many ways this makes us the envy of the world in corruption terms. Why should politicians be the exception?”

Far from being a call for anti-political sentiment, this report grounds its warning on the very human nature. Danmark is a nation where the index of perceived corruption is among the lowest in the world. I am personally under the impression that the corruption index is so low because people do not conceive why somebody elected to pursue the common good would pursue his/her own. It comes with the sense of community that Danish institutions at all level work very hard to create and maintain. However some may think that in love and war (and politics...) everything is allowed. Maybe just one time...Corruption is changing fast. There can be no control on individual intentions; however, it must be the regulators' duty to set up stringent rules and controls so that Denmark keeps actual corruption down.