In this article the author analyzes if the political parties are influenced by the „self-interest” or by the „public interest”. Citizens have the needs and interests that politicians, both at the central and local levels, should address through the public administration. In democratic societies, political parties collect and aggregate the demands of different groups of citizens and, in order to meet them, formulate options of government programs. The elections give voters the opportunity to decide which of the political parties offer the best electoral program that meet the needs of the whole society. Successful implementation of public policies ensures politicians to gain trust of citizens and to be re-elected, therefore they tend to act in the public interest.