The Ministry of Finance published on its website the regulations concerning the provision of interest-free loans to election contenders from the state budget for carrying out the election campaign. A party, sociopolitical organization or electoral bloc can get at most 25,000 lei, while an independent candidate – 5,000 lei, IPN reports.
The interest-free loans will be released only through a financial attorney. The loans will be repaid by the state fully or partially, depending on the total number of freely expressed votes for the contender in a particular constituency.
The contender that will withdraw its candidate will be obliged to repay the loan within two months of the withdrawal of the candidate. The candidates who will win less than 3% of the valid votes cast in a particular consistency, including the independent candidates who will not be elected, will repay the loans within two months of the election day. The other contenders will repay the loans within four months of the election day. If the elected mayor refuses to hold office, he/she will have to pay the costs associated with the organization and holding of the elections.
To get the loan, the administration of the party, sociopolitical organization or electoral bloc or the independent candidate must file an official application to the Ministry of Finance through the financial attorney.
The funds for carrying out the campaign prior to the June 14 local general elections are disbursed based on a contract signed by the Ministry of Finance and each election runner.
