Who is afraid of transparency?

The issue of transparency has returned to the centre of political debate, this time sparked by Hugo Soares, the PSD parliamentary leader, who argued that income and interest declarations should no longer be publicly accessible. This stance, which drew sharp criticism from the opposition, highlights a broader issue: democratic representation cannot function effectively without transparency. Those who exercise power on behalf of others must accept scrutiny, as undermining this principle erodes trust in institutions and democracy itself. Recent cases, such as questions surrounding party funding and the lack of public access to donor identities, underscore the fragility of current oversight mechanisms. With upcoming legislative changes to party and campaign financing laws, political parties face a choice: embrace the scrutiny essential to representative democracy or move towards greater opacity, which only fuels public distrust and empowers anti-democratic forces.