Lawmaker proposes ending subsidies to political parties

Assemblyman Elí Topete Robles introduced a bill to reform the Constitution, the Electoral Law and the Political Parties Law in order to put an end to subsidizing political parties.

“Movimiento Ciudadano (Citizens Movement in English) has long proposed the elimination of public financing for political parties, due to the excessive cost that ordinary and campaign spending represents for our society,” the lawmaker said. “We are convinced that continuing to give money to political parties is not the solution to achieve this objective.”

Topete said political parties must have internal mechanisms that generate voter turnout and political participation through their own activities, programs, seminars, workshops or similar activities.

“All this and more is possible to achieve without the need for public financing,” the lawmaker added.

The bill also aims to eliminate five members of the Assembly elected by proportional representation from the eight that currently exist.

If enacted, the bill will mandate the Legislature to be made up of 17 lawmakers directly elected and three more of proportional representation, for a total of 20. The Assembly currently has 25 members. According to the lawmaker, the bill would save more than 55 million pesos, or about $2 million.

Also, he added, the Assembly having an even number of seats would resolve disputes about gender equality, which occur in each electoral contest in Baja California, while ensuring the constitutional right of women to have equal participation in state politics.