ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the development of the Russian party-funding model, with a specific focus on legislation passed in 2001. It discusses the legal documents and interviews with politicians and experts. In July 2001, the law on civic associations, as it applied to parties, gave way to a law on political parties, of which approximately one third was devoted to funding. The SPS allows its Revision Commission to call on specialist help. The main business opportunities for Russian parties are in the media and the stock market. The CPRF currently has a project to create its own TV channel. Russian NGOs did not pay party funding much attention before 2000. Political finance generally was the preserve of a few specialists, with links to the Central Election Commission and the Duma Committee on Civic Associations and Religious Organizations. The rules on party funding are intended to place Russian party finances on an honest and open footing.
