Supreme Court bans corporate donations to political campaigns
A plenary session at the Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court (STF in the original acronym) ruled Thursday (Sep. 17) against the private financing of political campaigns. The court thus puts an end to a vote, started in 2013, on a motion filed by Brazil's Bar Association (OAB), which questions articles from the Law of Political Parties and Law of Elections. These articles authorize corporate donations to political parties and candidates. With eight votes against three, Brazil's top court decided that donations upset the balance of the electoral dispute.
The move represents a ban on corporate donations during elections. Nonetheless, the controversy on the matter lingers on. Last week, the Chamber of Deputies passed a bill regulating such donations.
The piece of legislation awaits approval or veto by President Dilma Rousseff. If she signs the bill into law, the Supreme Court will be required to deliberate yet again.
As per the current legislation, companies are allowed to donate up to two percent of their gross revenue from the year prior to the election. For individuals, contributions are limited to ten percent of their gross income from the previous year.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Supreme Court bans corporate donations to political campaigns
