Impact of new technologies on political party regulation explored during OSCE/ODIHR expert meetings in Warsaw

Experts on political party regulation from the OSCE region, including the Core Group of Experts on Political Parties of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), met in Warsaw on 10 and 11 November 2016 to examine how new technologies affect the functioning of political parties.

“New technologies have revolutionized the way in which parties are created, run and financed,” said Marcin Walecki, Head of ODIHR’s Democratization Department. “Understanding the legal and practical consequences of this shift in terms of transparency, effectiveness and accountability of political parties is key to effectively addressing challenges and opportunities arising in this new environment and ensuring respect for democratic principles in party regulation.”

The meeting, to be followed by a one-day roundtable discussion on 12 November, was part of the ongoing process of revising the 2010 Guidelines on Political Party Regulation. ODIHR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission created this tool to assist states in formulating legal frameworks that comply with OSCE commitments and other international standards in the area of the establishment, development and functioning of political parties. 

The discussion also touched upon other emerging trends in political party regulation and best practices related to the democratic functioning of political parties, including the role of parliamentary opposition factions, ways to establish safeguards in the area of public funding and oversight, and how to ensure gender balance at all party levels.