The subject of political party funding is a complex one in many states. In particular, this refers to private donations in election campaigns, which can be made to promote particular interests. This subject deserves special attention as the integrity of the whole system and of the electoral process in general can be in danger. In Moldova, even if the regulations on party funding were improved, more steps should be taken to ensure transparency in party and election campaign funding. The opinions were stated in a national conference staged by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Romania and Moldova, IDEA International and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova, IPN reports.
EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said that development of democracy based on pluralism, rule of law, transparency and responsibility is one of the EU objectives that is also stipulated in the EU – Moldova Association Agreement. The recent change made to the Election Code generated concerns as to the impact on the country’s democratic development and political pluralism. The political pluralism should be ensured not only during the election campaign, but also throughout the electoral cycle. The ensuring of equal conditions for all parties does not mean only a good regulatory framework, but also independent surveillance bodies, efficient monitoring on the part of public institutions, responsibility and transparency on the part of parties.
Peter Michalko noted that the rights of the voters and candidates should be realized and equal conditions should be created for everyone. The ambassador referred also to the common OSCE/ODIHR report, where attention is devoted to the implementation of legal norms, including by imposing penalties that would discourage violations. The public bodies with powers in the area of party funding, including the Central Election Commission, the Court of Auditors, the National Anticorruption Center and the National Integrity Authority, should be independent, efficient and should have tools to fulfill their duties.
Florian Seitz, Deputy Head of the Embassy of Germany in Moldova, said the subject of party funding is sensitive in his country too and deserves special attention as the integrity of the whole system and of the electoral process in general can be in danger. In Germany, parties are funded mainly by the state. The money is allocated depending on the results achieved by parties in elections. The parties can also collect membership dues and funds by entrepreneurial activities, like the publication of party newspapers. As regards private donations, the most recent controversy in Germany concerned the disclosure of larger donors. Thus, if the donation for a party is higher than €10,000, the donor should be known. The Speaker of Parliament should be informed if the donation is higher than €50,000. The non-reporting carries a fine that is two times higher than the donated sum or even criminal punishment.
Florian Seitz a said that even if a cap on private donations was set in Moldova, this is too high and should be reduced significantly and the OSCE/ODIHR report pointed to this. The independent surveillance that should be ensured by the Central Election Commission is as important. Also, there should be public controls on the part of civil society and the independent press.
The event brought together politicians, representatives of civil society and state institutions and national and foreign experts. According to the Head of the Division of Electoral Assistance of the Council of Europe François Friederich, the national conference “Financing of political parties in the Republic of Moldova: lessons learned in Eastern Partnership” forms part of the EU-funded Partnership for Good Governance Program.
