USA: Companies may freely advertise for candidates
In the USA, companies and trade unions will in future be allowed to donate unlimited amounts of money to advertising campaigns to support or oppose candidates in federal elections.
By four votes to five, the Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a 20-year-old ruling that had restricted campaign spending in presidential and congressional elections, according to the SDA. However, the ruling stipulates that election advertising must clearly state who financed it. Observers expect that the new ruling will already shape the upcoming campaign for the congressional elections in November. They expect a flood of commercials.
Previously, such support in election campaigns was only possible indirectly: companies and trade unions were not allowed to commission and finance election advertising themselves, but had to pass on money to so-called "political action committees". These were close to the respective candidates. They were only allowed to use voluntary donations from employees, managers or board members, for example. The new ruling allows companies or trade unions to spend money directly from their own assets on election advertising.
Previously, such support in election campaigns was only possible indirectly: companies and trade unions were not allowed to commission and finance election advertising themselves, but had to pass on money to so-called "political action committees". These were close to the respective candidates. They were only allowed to use voluntary donations from employees, managers or board members, for example. The new ruling allows companies or trade unions to spend money directly from their own assets on election advertising.
