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All the latest on financement politique: articles, analysis and ongoing coverage from Lost in the Jungle.
World
Nigel Farage has triggered a new election in his parliamentary constituency after facing pressure over his finances, according to The New York Times. In Clacton, his main challenger is Count Binface, a novelty candidate.
World
Robert Assaf, co-founder of a conservative Christian faction within the New South Wales Liberal Party, has admitted its funds were used for a bucks party. He told an anti-corruption inquiry that members treated the money as an advance for personal expenses and intended to repay it. The inquiry is also examining possible political donations from prohibited donors, undeclared contributions and payments above applicable caps. Assaf denies that payments routed through lobbying firm Beckington were intended to conceal illegal political donations.
World
Britain's parliamentary standards commissioner is investigating Reform UK leader Nigel Farage over potentially undeclared donations, including a £5 million payment from Thailand-based businessman Christopher Harborne, according to The Guardian. Rather than submit to the inquiry, Farage triggered a by-election in his Clacton constituency on 20 July 2026. He disputes any obligation to declare the gifts. Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are boycotting the poll. A Reform UK ally has called the investigation a kangaroo court.
World
On July 15, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced a grants program offering up to $3 million per award to European organizations and individuals aligned with the MAGA movement. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against American interference in Germany's regional elections scheduled for September 2026. The program is administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), an agency originally founded under President Carter to promote democracy and human rights, now redirected by the Trump administration. Former U.S. officials describe the initiative as an effort to give far-right European groups an "unfair advantage."