Political party funding sparks concerns

During the recent Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame, announced that the government has introduced political party funding to the tune of P34 million, which she added will enhance the country’s democratic principles. The opposition and other players have long advocated for the public funding of political parties and the enactment of a legal framework to regulate the arrangement.

However, sceptics, especially in opposition circles, fear that the bulk of the money will go to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) at the expense of the opposition and thus work against levelling the playing ground.