Most corrupt political parties in the west?

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Quebec Liberals? Walloon Partie Socialists? The Popular Party of Spain? Christian Democracy (Italy)?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

The DemoncRATS and Rethuglikkkans, OBVIOUSLY

[DavidB.]

In the Netherlands it's definitely the VVD, especially the provincial branch in (you guessed it) Limburg.

But the most corrupt Western political party is not in the Netherlands. If you include Israel as "the West" (which I wouldn't, probably, but they are similar in terms of institutional design) Shas and, to a lesser degree, Yahadut HaTorah would certainly be on the shortlist. Italian Christian Democracy would have been on the list in the past. Fianna Fáil falls in the same category. And, of course, PASOK and ND.

[Antonio the Sixth]

No mention of Forza Italia yet?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

PASOK and ND would be good candidates even if one is now irrelevant.

[Ebsy]

Both parties in Rhode Island.

[Crumpets]

New York Democratic Party

[Edu]

I suppose that for the purpose of this exercise, Latin America will not be considered part of the west

[Grand Wizard Lizard of the Klan]

Umm, any political party which was lucky enough to keep power longer than for 10 years I guess.

[Cranberry]

Umm, any political party which was lucky enough to keep power longer than for 10 years I guess.

Sadly, a much shorter time than that can suffice perfectly well for some. Ever heard of a gentleman called Jörg Haider? I wouldn't claim for them to be the most corrput, but the FPÖ once again proudly defends its place among Europe's most horrible, at this front.

In the Netherlands it's definitely the VVD, especially the provincial branch in (you guessed it) Limburg.

If we are doing that exercise, the Austrian equivalent of this is the Carinthian FPÖ-branch - they even managed to get the state at the brink of insolvency with their shenanigans.

[dead0man]

Both parties in Rhode Island.

That was my first thought.

[morgieb]

All NSW parties.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

No mention of Forza Italia yet?

Are they corrupt in the traditional sense? I thought they were just plain evil

Forza Italia as I understand it has all the corruption and general sliminess of DC without the bad-people-trying-their-best-to-be-good (if we're being charitable) or overtly hypocritical (if we're not) vibe.

[dead0man]

Both parties in Rhode Island.

Illinois probably takes the cake for the U.S., no? Also honorable mentions to New Jersey and Alabama (IIRC?)

And Louisiana.  But the people in those places act shocked when their politicians get caught up in it.  "that guy I've voted into office for 40 years is a crook?  say it ain't so!"  In RI, it's called Tuesday.  It's just part of the culture.

[Grand Wizard Lizard of the Klan]

Honorable mention:

Pff, take it back!

[Angel of Death]

All major parties in two-party systems.