The elections to the German Bundestag took place on September 22. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) jointly took the biggest percentage of votes for the last 20 years – 41.5%. Therefore, Angela Merkel will become a chancellor for the third time. This charismatic politician and a simple women in life had earned nearly 50,280,400 Euro during a singe election campaign. Of course, it's not her personal result, but local analysts affirm that her image and ratings influenced the final result most. Besides that, voters have also attributed results of the pro-power coalition, including Free Democratic Party (liberal), to this modest "Iron Frau". It is proved by the fact that all parties, which have stayed in pro-government majority for the last two cadences, were not chosen on these elections, or were losing their supporters. Thus, social-democrats and Green party have solid reasons to fear coalition with CDU/CSU. They may lose both power and money.

In contrast to Ukraine, where party funds are in cash, electoral funds are "grey", and sources of funding are "dark", German politicians are politically and economically motivated to win. The more votes party receives, the more financing it gets from the state budget. Every voter of the first 4 million brings 85 eurocents to the budget of a political party, and those listed beyond this number bring 75 eurocents every year. Political parties are fighting not only for commitment of citizens and mandates, but also for state resources for their needs, offices, and receptions. Thus, every cent earned during the election is a direct investment into the future success. However, the state encourages citizens donating to the needs of political parties by adding 38 cents to every euro, transferred to party funds by the voters. Nevertheless, if a German burgher donates more than 6600 euro or more, there will be no bonuses from the federal budget.

Obviously, German politicians get not only sugar and honey. All the donations, receipts and expenses are annually promulgated, and parties pass independent audits conducted by certified companies. If assessment results are called in question, another financial inspection is conducted. Fines and administrative penalties prevent party members from having a short memory. If a political party forgets to declare any donation, it has to pay fine in doubled amount of the donation that was not included in the report. In a word, Germans know how to count money and politicians how to count votes. By the way, names of communities willing to finance parties are protected by the law on protection of personal data. However, this rule is not applied to those donating more than 10,000 euro. It's another example proving that all the rules should have exceptions. In Ukraine, the Law on Protection of personal data is used to conceal information about the state funds, income declarations of politicians, salaries of ministers, or names of assistants to Members of Parliament. However, social interest should be placed above personal for those individuals involved in politics.

Everything starts with trust, which is in no way blind in Germany.

In early 2000s, Ukrainian politicians also attempted to establish the state funding of political parties. Members of Parliament have adopted legislation which was never put into operation due to empty state budget and no political will. In such a way, the circle has been closed. Countries with worsened economic situation find it difficult to appeal to the German experience, but it would be not wise to neglect it. Assistance to political parties which attract citizen funds worth being adapted. Such direct communication between parties and citizens will contribute to citizen confidence in these parties. The latter is determinative for the elections and party building. Vote count results are never doubted in Old Europe. Division of mandates is extremely complicated, and candidates have no "plan B" (what to do if votes are stolen). Everything starts with trust, which is in no way blind in Germany. Parties, which want to receive financing, have to be responsible for their actions and words.

My colleague has assessed such advanced experiences with a phrase: "We are not going to live like that." Which I wanted to answer: "We will have to."

Olha Aivazovska, specially for Liga.net