Sam Van der Staak

Sam van der Staak heads the Europe Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in Stockholm.

Getting to Denmark: how hidden money corrupts Danish politics

It is high time to wake up to the reality that Denmark is the only remaining country in the Nordics, and virtually all of Europe, with hardly any laws to ban the crippling influence of money on politics.

By Sam Van der Staak and Yves Leterme

/ 21 Jun 2016

How to fix UK political party finance

The reform of political party finance is essential to address public mistrust. It could also benefit parties themselves and help refresh democracy.

By Samuel Jones and Sam Van der Staak

/ 25 Jun 2015