MEPs back new EU political party funding plans

MEPs are set to back proposals designed to allow pan-European political parties to campaign for the 2009 elections.

Before the summer break, the European commission presented plans for amending a 2003 regulation on the statute and financing of political parties.

A parliament source said that, if approved, the proposals would afford greater financial flexibility to parties, such as the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR), the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the European People’s Party (EPP).

“If approved, the new regulation will allow European political parties to finance and organise electoral activities for the next European elections in 2009,” he said.

Deputies have broadly welcomed the commission regulation, which is expected to be endorsed by the constitutional affairs committee next month.

The full plenary will then vote on the proposals, probably at the December plenary in Strasbourg.

Parliament’s rapportuer on the issue, German Socialist MEP Jo Leinen, said, “The constitutional debate has shown that communication on European policies and the participation of citizens in European debates is very poor.

“Therefore, European political parties, which are a link between EU citizens and EU institutions, must be strengthened.

“The commission’s proposals for strengthening European parties and for funding European political foundations improves the democratic infrastructure of the EU.”

• Previous article
• Next article