On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (recast)
BUDG-AD-719619
Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Nils Ušakovs
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The Committee on Budgets opinion on the proposed regulation on the statute and funding of European political parties and foundations suggests amendments to improve transparency, funding rules, and oversight.¶¶ It introduces 'association fees' from partners outside the EU, renames 'own resources' to 'other own resources', and caps them at 5% of annual budget.¶¶¶ It calls for adequate resources for the Authority, a common repository funded from its budget, and regular meetings with national contact points.¶¶¶ It allows EUPPs to use their name and logo alongside their group's during European election campaigns and permits funding of referendum campaigns on EU-related issues.¶¶ It strengthens transparency by requiring disclosure of all revenue sources and donor identification, and ensures continuity of previous decisions after the regulation is repealed.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Budgets proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal, focusing on new revenue categories, transparency, and Authority resources.¶
Key points
- The Authority should be equipped with adequate resources for its tasks, especially for the 2024 European elections.¶
- A new category of 'research partners' should be recognised for European political foundations to allow flexible affiliations.¶¶
- The co-financing rate should not be lowered to 0% in election years; the 5% rate should be maintained.¶¶
- Association fees from partners in former member states, EFTA countries, EU candidate countries, and Eastern Partnership countries should be allowed, subject to caps and monitoring.¶¶¶
- Other own resources (e.g., conference fees, sales) should be capped at 5% of annual budget and reported transparently.¶¶¶
- During European election campaigns, EUPPs may use their name and logo together with those of their group, and finance related costs.¶
- EUPPs and foundations should not fund other parties or candidates, but may co-finance joint events and educational activities in the EU's common interest.¶¶¶
- The common repository for political advertising disclosures should be funded from the Authority's budget, not the CERV programme.¶¶
- Donations, contributions, association fees, and other own resources must be reported with donor identity; donors must declare no connection to sanctioned persons.¶¶
- The Authority should publish reports on political advertising without factual summaries, and take decisions on sanctions alone.¶¶
- The Authority and national contact points should regularly exchange views on controls and sanctions.¶
- Procedural steps and decisions taken under the previous regulation remain applicable after repeal.¶
Who is affected
- European political parties and foundations: new revenue categories, caps, and reporting requirements apply.¶¶¶
- Partners outside the EU: may pay association fees under conditions, subject to caps and monitoring.¶¶
- The Authority for European political parties and foundations: gains tasks, needs resources, manages repository.¶¶
- National contact points: meet regularly with the Authority for coordination.¶¶
- Donors: must provide identification and declare no links to sanctioned entities.¶