Senate Committee Opposes Advertising Restrictions
The Committee on Political Institutions (SPK) of the Council of States does not want to dictate to political parties how much they may spend on advertising ahead of national elections. It therefore rejected a motion to that effect.
The Council of States’ Committee on Political Affairs (SPK) does not want to dictate to political parties how much they may spend on advertising ahead of national elections. In its view, this would constitute overregulation and paternalism. The committee therefore rejected a motion by former Council of States member Pierre Bonhôte (SP/NE). Bonhôte had justified his parliamentary initiative by arguing that limiting spending on election advertising would be easier to enforce than setting a cap on party donations.
However, the majority of the commission believes that such a restriction would be patronizing toward those voters who are not swayed by excessive campaigning. The influence of election campaigns should not be overestimated, the SPK announced on Wednesday.
The minority of the SPK that supports the measure believes that a cap could prevent the free formation of opinion from being undermined because individual parties have a disproportionate amount of money at their disposal for elections.
However, the majority of the commission believes that such a restriction would be patronizing toward those voters who are not swayed by excessive campaigning. The influence of election campaigns should not be overestimated, the SPK announced on Wednesday.
The minority of the SPK that supports the measure believes that a cap could prevent the free formation of opinion from being undermined because individual parties have a disproportionate amount of money at their disposal for elections.
