Throughout Latin America, political parties have experienced hard times. Corruption scandals, failure to turn over leadership to a younger generation, a perception that parties are ineffective or play favorites, and overall voter disenchantment with the political system have taken their toll. In many countries “traditional” parties have lost ground to newer players, such as popular movements or local and regional “fronts,” and polls consistently reflecting parties’ poor credibility.
Convinced that democracy can only deliver on its promises if it is backed by strong institutions, including effective political parties, International IDEA is working throughout the region to provide new and old parties with tools to function more efficiently and gain or regain voter trust.
In Central America, the task of consolidating democratic institutions in the wake of decades of civil war is complicated by corruption scandals, citizen discontent and persistent social problems. International IDEA began its Central America work in Guatemala and it has since expanded to include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, focusing on political parties and the problems and challenges they face.
After several presidents in the Andean region were ousted before completing their terms, it seemed as if a more stable period had begun, especially in Bolivia and Ecuador. However, this area is still marked by polarized politics and weak democratic institutions.
Throughout the Andean region, International IDEA is sponsoring political reform, studies, training, seminars, exchanges of ideas and experiences to assist political parties become more democratic and better equipped to compete in the electoral arena which should thereby contribute to stronger democracy in their countries. Some of the key issues include: internal party structures, democracy and transparency; political party financing and funding for the fight against corruption; political parties and the fight against poverty; training for party leaders, members and candidates, particularly young people and women; political party operations at the municipal level; and international cooperation between political parties.
In Peru, International IDEA began a programme of technical assistance to party groups in the national parliament. Based on research about party caucus cohesion and performance, documents were prepared and strategic planning workshops were held. This initial experience will be replicated with the new legislators who will take office in August 2011.
International IDEA promotes greater equality within party systems as well as in the overall political system by identifying best practices and working with parties and political leaders in areas such as developing women’s political leadership within parties, selection of candidates, placement of women on candidate slates, quota systems, and training for female legislative candidates before they run for office and after they take their seats in the legislature.
