Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Austria
Yes, regularly provided
funding. Political parties
receive annual public
financing (which can be
used for both regular
party activities and
campaign activities).
Representation in elected body,
share of votes in previous election;
share of seats in previous election.
Parties that have obtained at least
1% of the votes are eligible for public
funding. Parties that are represented
in the National Council receive additional funding, and even more if they
have at least five parliamentary
seats.
Equal;
proportional to votes received;
flat rate by votes received.
Non-parliamentary parties receive
a flat rate for each vote won (EUR
2.5/vote). For parliamentary parties, the total funding (EUR 4.6/
eligible voter) is divided proportionally by votes won after deduction of EUR 218,000 for each party
with at least five parliamentary
seats (this amount is then given
equally to each such party).
No. The funding should assist
parties to participate in "the formation of political will", but no
specific ear marking.
Funding provided to party affiliated
institutes. Funding provided to party
affiliated institutes.
Belgium
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body.
Funding is only available to parties
with Parliamentary representation.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
Partly equal distribution to parties
represented in a certain body and
then an additional sum per votes
received in previous election.
No.
Tax relief;
Space for campaign materials;
Free or subsidised postage cost,
Free provision of a copy of the
electoral register.
Campaigns enjoy exemption from
tax stamps for election posters,
advertising space, preferential
treatment for election mail and free
provision of a copy of the electoral
register.
Bulgaria
Yes, regularly provided Representation in elected body;
funding.
share of votes in previous election.
Funds are provided on Some funds provided only to parties
a quarterly basis.
with Parliamentary representation,
other to all gaining at least 1 % of
the votes in the preceding election.
Proportional to votes received.
Croatia
Yes, regularly provided Representation in elected body;
funding.
share of votes in next election;
Yes, in relation to
participation in election.
campaigns.
Ongoing funding is only available to
political parties with parliamentary
representation;
Equal;
proportional to seats received.
An equal amount of funds for each
Member of the Croatian Parliament shall be determined, and
each political party shall be entitled to funds proportionate to the
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities.
Fulfilling the goals defined in the
programme and statute of the
political party. Fulfilling the goals
defined in the programme and
statute of the political party.
Premises for campaign meetings.
Parties are provided with office
space at a nominal rent.
Tax relief;
discount on marketing in public
TV/radio.
Political parties are entitled to tax
benefits for activities strictly linked
to the political activity of a political
party.
Page 1 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
Croatia
(cont.)
Cyprus
Czech
Republic
Denmark
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
State funds are given
to meet part of parties'
operational and election
expenses.
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Campaign funding also available to
other parties if they manage to gain
5% of the vote.
number parliamentary deputies it
has at the time of time of the constitution of the Croatian Parliament.
Discount on marketing in public
TV/radio.
Number of candidates;
Registration as a political party.
Funding is only available to political
parties that are registered in the
Register of Political Parties. Parliamentary and non-parliamentary
parties receive funding for election
expenses as long as their candidates have covered a specified
minimum of seats in previous elections (Parliament, European Parliament, Municipal).
Equal;
No.
proportional to votes received;
determined.
Parliamentary parties receive part
of the public funding (regular funding and election support) equally
and the remaining part in proportion to their votes in the last election. The amount of election support to parliamentary and nonparliamentary parties is determined by the Council of Ministers.
Tax relief. Neither public funding
nor private contributions to parties
are subject to taxation.
Equal;
proportional to votes received;
flat rate by votes received;
proportional to seats received.
Ongoing funding; Part equal (CZK
6 million per year), part by vote in
Parliamentary elections (CZK
200,000 per 0.1% up to 5%), part
by seat in Parliament (CZK
900,000 per seat) and regional &
Prague Municipal council (CZK
250,000 per seat). Election funding; parties receive CZK 100 per
vote in Parliamentary elections,
CZK 30 per vote in European
Parliament elections.
No.
Tax relief;
space for campaign materials.
Donations to parties & candidates
are tax deductible. Space to put up
posters on equal terms for political
parties and independent candidates to the Senate.
Flat rate by votes received. Fully
proportional calculated as a certain amount per votes won in preceding election.
No.
Only criteria is that the funds must
be spent in Denmark.
Tax relief. Political parties are exempt from certain types of taxes.
Yes, regularly provided Representation in elected body;
funding.
share of votes in previous election.
Yes, in relation to
Ongoing funding: One part of the
campaigns.
funding available to all parties that
reached 3% of the vote in Parliamentary elections, another to all that
have at least one elected deputy in
Parliament, Regional Council or
Prague Municipal Council Election
funding: 1.5% of the vote (Parliamentary elections), 1% European
Parliament elections.
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Share of votes in previous election.
Number of votes required varies
depending on type of election, from
100 votes in district elections to
1,000 in Parliamentary elections.
Page 2 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Estonia
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body;
Equal;
share of votes in previous election.
proportional to votes received;
proportional to seats received.
Parts of the funds distributed to
parties that reached 1% and 4% of
Equal amount provided to smaller
votes, parts to those with Parliamen- parties, larger parties receive
tary representation.
funding proportional to votes and
seats won.
No.
Tax relief. Partial tax relief for political parties and candidates.
Finland
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body.
Funding is only available to political
parties with parliamentary representation.
Proportional to seats received.
Funding is proportional to seats
won in previous election (assuming that a majority of MPs of a
political party have not since left
the party).
No.
It is generally stated that the funds
should be used for activities in line
with the party's statutes.
Tax relief. Donations to parties (and
to candidates if total amount donated is less than EUR 3,400 over 3
years) are tax exempt.
France
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Share of votes in previous election.
Different categories; the minimum
criteria is for the party's candidates
to win at least 1% of the vote in at
least 50 constituencies.
Proportional to votes received;
proportional to seats received.
Part of the funding is proportional
to votes gained in the preceding
Parliamentary election, part in
proportion to Parliamentarians
declaring each year that they
belong to a political party (candidates can receive campaign
spending reimbursement).
No.
Tax relief;
space for campaign materials
Tax deductibility of donations and
help for parliamentary groups, and
spaces provided for putting up
posters.
Germany
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Share of votes in previous election.
0.5% for Bundestag and European
Parliament elections or 1% for an
election to a Landtag.
Flat rate by votes received;
No.
share of expenses reimbursed;
funding cannot be higher than
the private funds raised by the
party.
Flat rate per vote received (rate
lower after the first 4 million votes).
Also matching funds (EUR 0.38
per EUR 1 donated for donations
below EUR 3,300). Funding can
however not be higher than the
private funds raised by the party.
Tax relief. Exemptions from certain
types of taxes.
Page 3 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Greece
Yes, regularly provided Representation in elected body;
funding.
share of votes in previous election;
Yes, in relation to
number of candidates.
campaigns.
80% provided to parties with Parliamentary representation, 10% to
parties with European Parliament
representation and 10% to parties
that have filed complete lists of candidates in at least 70% of the constituencies AND received at least
1.5% of valid votes at national level.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
Proportionally due to number of
votes in last election for those
represented in the parliament and
also equally to those represented
in the European parliament and
parties and coalitions meeting
certain criteria among which share
of votes inprevious election is
included.
Hungary
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Political parties are
contributed regularly
(per year) and in relation
to campaigns (candidates and parties too).
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election;
participation in election.
Parties that present candidates are
eligible for election campaign assistance. Part of ongoing assistance to
parties that receive at least 1% of
the vote, part to those with Parliamentary representation.
Equal;
Campaign spending. Campaign
support should be used for camproportional to votes received,
paign spending.
proportional to candidates fielded.
Campaign support: Proportional to
number of candidates presented.
Regular assistance: 25% distributed equally among parties with
Parliamentary representation. 75%
in proportion to the votes of the
party and the candidates of the
party in the first valid round in
parliamentary elections.
Tax relief. Political parties are exempt from most taxes.
Ireland
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Share of votes in previous election.
The party must have received 2% of
the first preference votes at the last
Dáil general election.
Proportional to votes received.
Proportional to the number of first
preference votes received.
Ongoing party activities;
promotion of women and young
person’s participation.
Elected officials have access to
certain facilities, though anything
used for election purposes should
be accounted as such. Elected
officials have access to certain
facilities, though anything used for
election purposes should be accounted as such.
Italy
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Representation in elected body.
Proportional to votes received;
Since Law 96 of 2012 the eligibility
30% of the funds are distributed
criterion for the reimbursement of
according to the parties' selfthe election and ordinary expenses
financing capacity (see comments
(70% of the public funds provided) is for more information).
one elected representatives
Campaign spending.
Tax relief;
space for campaign materials;
premises for campaign meetings.
Tax deductions for political parties
and donors.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities;
research and study centres.
Premises for campaign meetings;
free or subsidised transport;
free or subsidised postage cost;
free phone services.
Provision of outdoor sites free of
charge in connection to election
campaigns, free mail and phone
services for candidates during
campaigns, travel costs of candidates covered during campaigns.
Page 4 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Italy
(cont.)
N.B. From 2014, public
funding will begin to be
phased out in Italy.
Public funding will be
incrementally decreased
until it is fully phased out
in the fourth year.
(for both the Chamber of Deputies
and the Senate). For the remaining
30% of public funding available, the
eligibility criterion is set at 2%.
70% of the funds are distributed in
proportion to the votes obtained
(under l.515/1993) 30% of the
funds are distributed according to
the parties' self-financing capacity
(EUR 0.5 for each Euro received
annually from private funds, up to
EUR 10,000) (under l.96/2012).
Latvia
Yes, regularly provided
funding. The law on
Financing of Political
Organisations (Parties)
was amended by foreseeing the provisions for
direct public funding in
July 2011. It also stipulates that the direct
public funding will be
available starting from
January 2012.
Share of votes in previous election.
Funding is only available to political
parties that received 2% of vote in
the previous elections.
Flat rate by votes received. Parties
receive flat rate of LVL 0.50 for
each vote received.
Lithuania
Yes, regularly provided Share of votes in previous election; Proportional to votes received.
Proportional to votes received in
funding.
share of votes in next election.
Yes, in relation to
Ongoing funding provided to parties preceding election.
campaigns.
that received at least 3% of the
votes in the last election. Campaign
funding provided as reimbursement
to parties that receive at least 3% of
the votes in the election in question.
Luxembourg
Yes, regularly provided Share of votes in previous election;
Equal;
funding.
number of candidates.
proportional to votes received.
Yes, in relation to
Parties must present a full list of
A lump sum and then in proportion
campaigns.
to votes in previous election.
candidates and gain at least 2% of
the vote.
Malta
No.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Space is provided for campaign
activities and for posters during
election campaigns.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities.
Campaign spending. Ongoing
assistance is not earmarked.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities.
Not applicable.
Tax relief. The donors can get tax
benefits.
Premises for campaign meetings.
State and municipal property may
be provided to political parties in
accordance with established criteria.
Free or subsidised postage cost.
Free postage.
Tax relief. Tax exemptions.
Page 5 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Netherlands
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body;
number of members.
Parties must win at least one seat in
the first or second chamber in the
last election, and must also have
least 1,000 members.
Equal;
proportional to seats received.
Fixed amount, an amount proportional to the number of seats obtained, and an amount dependent
on the number of members of (all)
political parties. (Additional and
different allocation procedures
apply for parties with a research
institutes or youth organizations).
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities,
intra-party institution.
There are specific provisions on
the use of grant money received
for youth organisations and political research institutes, as well as
maintaining contacts with and
engaging in training and education
of sister parties outside the country.
Tax relief;
space for campaign materials.
Political parties recognized as
"institutions for the general benefit"
have tax benefits. Places provided
for posters.
Poland
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Share of votes in previous election.
Parliamentary elections; at least 3%
of votes nationwide (or if in a coalition 6%).
Proportional to votes received.
Proportional to votes according to
special formula.
Campaign spending;
activities in line with the party
constitution and charity.
Parties should generally use the
funds for activities in line with its
constitution and for charity. There
is a limit on how much money can
be transferred from the state subsidy to the electoral fund of the
party. “A political party which is in
receipt of the subsidy shall remit
between 5% and 15% of the subsidy to the Expert Fund.”
No.
Portugal
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election;
number of candidates;
participation in election.
Ongoing assistance: party must
have gained at least 50,000 votes in
preceding election or gained representation. Campaign assistance:
Party must either run for European
Parliament, or run for a majority of
Parliamentary seats and gained
representation in regional assembly
(for local elections, gain representation or 2% of the vote).
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
Ongoing assistance: Proportional
to votes received. Campaign assistance: 20% equal, 80% proportional to votes won (25% and 75%
for local government elections).
No. However, the amount of public Tax relief. Political parties are not
subject to income tax.
campaign assistance cannot exceed the amount spent on the
campaign.
Page 6 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Romania
Yes, regularly provided
funding. Annual provision.
Representation in elected body;
share of seats in previous election.
Political parties receives funding if
they a) gain Parliamentary representation OR b) win at least
50 mandates of county counsellor
and counsellor for Bucharest municipality.
Proportional to votes received.
75% allocated proportionally to
votes received in Parliamentary
elections, 25% proportionally to
votes received in local government
elections.
Slovak
Republic
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Direct public funding is
provided after elections
and annually.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election.
Part of funding to political parties
that gained 3% of votes in last election. Part to parties with representation in National Council.
Proportional to votes received,
proportional to seats received.
Exclusively proportional. Ongoing
funding; Part proportionate to
votes won, part proportionate to
seats. Campaign funding; proportionate to votes won in just concluded election (funds provided
post-election).
Must not be used for loans, settling fines, donations or to support
Presidential election campaigns.
Tax relief;
space for campaign materials;
free or subsidised transport;
support to Parliamentarians (incl
salaries for support staff etc).
Free public transport and support to
Parliamentarians (incl salaries for
support staff etc). Places should be
provided for advertising. Parties do
not pay taxes on donations.
Slovenia
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Share of votes in previous election.
At least 1% of the votes in the country or at least 1.2% if the joint list
belongs to two Parties, or at least
1.5% if the joint list belongs to three
or more Parties.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
10% equally, 90% proportionally
by votes won in all constituencies.
No.
Space for campaign materials.
Local government bodies shall
provide all campaigns with free
advertising space (without charging
tax).
Spain
Yes, regularly provided Representation in elected body;
funding.
not having in leading position
Yes, in relation to
someone found guilty of serious
campaigns.
offence.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities.
Proportional to votes received;
Campaign spending;
proportional to seats received.
ongoing party activities;
extraordinary subsidies for adFunding allocated proportionally to
seats/votes gained in the preced- vertising purposes & security expenses, direct public funding from
ing elections.
the budget of local communities,
extraordinary funds for referendum
purposes.
Tax relief;
premises for campaign meetings.
Space is provided for central and
local party offices. Political party
income is not subject to income tax.
Space for campaign materials;
premises for campaign meetings;
free or subsidised postage cost.
Discount postage rates for campaign mailing and campaign hoarding (billboards), and public meeting
rooms are provided free of charge
by municipalities during election
campaigns.
Page 7 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Sweden
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election;
not having accepted anonymous
donations.
Representation in Parliament in one
of the two latest elections, or gaining
at least 2.5% of the vote in the most
recent election (local government
authorities can use different rules).
Party must also not have received
anonymous donations.
Equal;
proportional to votes received;
proportional to seats received.
Funding is partly equal and partly
by seats gained in the preceding
election (Parliamentary parties
only); for eligible parties without
Parliamentary representation
allocation is proportional to votes
gained.
No.
United
Kingdom
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election;
share of seats in next election.
Support relating to the House of
Commons; Funding only available to
opposition parties which gained one
seat and 150,000 votes or two seats
in the preceding general election.
Support relating to the House of
Lords; Funding only available to the
largest opposition party and to Cross
Benches (non-aligned). Note that the
House of Lords is unelected. Policy
Development Grants are available to
parties with at least two Members in
the House of Commons who have
taken the oath of allegiance.
Proportional to votes received;
proportional to seats received,
funding related to the House of
Lords is determined by the House
of Lords.
Funding relating to the House of
Commons; proportional to seats
and votes won. Funding relating to
the House of Lords; determined by
the House of Lords Policy Development Grants; Complicated formula weighted by votes won in
preceding election.
Premises for campaign meetings;
Public funds are earmarked for the
purpose on which they are allocatfree or subsidised postage cost.
ed. Earmarking includes Policy
There are provisions for free postdevelopment, Support to carry out age and free use of public meeting
Parliamentary business, Funding
rooms.
travels and associated expenses,
Funding the running costs of the
leader of the opposition's office.
Iceland
Yes, regularly provided
funding. From the budget of both the State and
municipalities.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election.
State support to parties with Parliamentary representation or which
won at least 2.5% of votes in last
election. Municipal support to parties
with local council representation or
which won at least 5% of vote in last
election.
No.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
State funding is partly allocated
equally and partly proportionally by
votes gained. Municipal funding is
proportional (unclear by what).
Party secretariats enjoy free access
to premises and technical equipment in the Riksdag building.
Tax relief. Tax relief for donors.
Page 8 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Macedonia
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election.
30% distributed among parties that
won 1% of the vote, 70% to those
with elected representatives.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
30% allocated equally, 70% proportionally to seats held.
No. Only provision is that funds
must be spent according to law.
Space for campaign materials;
premises for campaign meetings.
Municipalities shall provide places
where parties can place posters (at
no charge) and meeting rooms.
Montenegro
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
The law provides regular
funding to parliamentary
political parties, and
explicitly provides that
this funding can be used
for both regular and
campaign activities.
Representation in elected body;
participation in election.
Ongoing funding is only available to
political parties with representation
in the Assembly or municipal assembly. Part of the campaign funding is provided to political parties
that present at least one candidate,
the rest to those that win seats in the
election (assuming that they submit
a financial report).
Equal;
proportional to seats received.
Ongoing support; 20% equal to
parties that have won seats, 80%
proportionate to overall share of
seats in the Assembly or municipality assembly. Campaign support; 20% equal to electoral list
nominators, 80% in proportion to
seats won.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities;
party offices.
Regular funding may be used for
the regular activities of parties or
its MPs, or for election campaigns.
Additional funding is provided for
party offices.
Tax relief;
premises for campaign meetings.
State and local administration bodies shall make their premises,
equipment, means and other facilities available for campaigning.
Partial tax excemption.
Serbia
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns..
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election;
participation in election.
Proportional to votes received.
Funds allocated as flat rate by
votes received, though the number
of votes up to 5% of valid votes is
multiplied with a quotient of 1.5,
and the number of votes over 5%
of valid votes of all voters with a
coefficient of 1.
Ongoing party activities;
professional upgrading and training, acquiring practical skills, international cooperation and work with
membership.
Provision is vague, referring to
"other similar activities".
Political entities can benefit equally
from various "services and goods".
Political entities can benefit equally
from various "services and goods".
Norway
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Proportional to votes received.
Representation in elected body;
share of votes in previous election, 100% proportional to votes won in
previous election.
for part of the funding there is no
threshold.
For "vote support" there is no
threshold. For "basic support" parties must receive 2.5% of the vote or
have at least one seat in Parliament.
No.
Tax relief. Parties are exempt from
income and capital tax.
Switzerland
No.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The parliamentary groups recieve
support for administrative costs. .
The parliamentary groups recieve
support for administrative costs.
Not applicable.
Page 9 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Tax deductions for donors.
Turkey
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to campaigns.
Share of votes in previous election. Proportional to votes received.
7% of valid votes in the last genProportional to votes received in
eral elections.
previous election.
No.
Tax relief.
Australia
Yes, in relation to campaigns. While technically
the funding relates to
candidates, funds for
partisan candidates is
paid out to their parties.
Share of votes in previous election. Flat rate by votes received.
Parties that have candidates reMultiple of votes received.
ceiving above 4% of formal first
preference votes receive funding
(though the eligibility criterion is
formally for candidates, their parties receive the funds).
No.
Tax relief. Individuals can claim
deductions for donations to political
parties and independent candidates and members up to a
AUD 1,500 cap respectively i.e. a
total tax deduction of AUD 3,000.
Tax deductions for gifts and contributions by businesses were removed in 2010.
Brazil
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Registration as a political party.
Having their statutes registered
before the EMB.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
5% of the funds are allocated on
an equal basis and 95% in proportion to votes obtained in the previous election for the Chamber of
Deputies.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities;
intra-party institution.
At least, 20% of the funds must be
spent for intra-party institution(s)
dealing with research and/or political education, while no more than
50% can be used to pay rents and
salaries.
Premises for campaign meetings.
Political parties are granted the use
of public facilities for their meetings
and conventions.
Canada
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to campaigns.
A registered party that
obtains at least 2% of all
valid votes cast at a general election or at least
5% of the valid votes cast
in the electoral districts in
which it ran a candidate in
a general election is eligible for an allowance. N.B.
The Quarterly Allowance
is set to be fully phased
out by the fiscal year
Share of votes in previous election.
A registered party that obtains at
least 2% of all valid votes cast at a
general election or at least 5% of
the valid votes cast in the electoral
districts in which it ran a candidate
in a general election is eligible for
an allowance
Flat rate by votes received;
share of expenses reimbursed.
Maximum 60% of the candidates'
paid election and personal expenses. Quarterly allowance is to
be CAD 0.3825 per vote for the
quarter that begin on 1 April 2012
and the 3 following quarters, in
2013 this figure changes to
CAD 0.255, for 2014 the figures is
CAD 0.1275, and from 2015 this
allowance will be completely
phased out.
No.
Tax relief. Individuals can recieve
tax credits for political contributions.
Page 10 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
2015-2016.
India
No.
Not applicable.
Japan
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Representation in elected body;
Proportional to votes received;
share of votes in previous election;
proportional to seats received.
share of seats in previous election. Subsidies are allocated according
Parliamentary representation and
to seats and votes gained by the
2% of the vote in one of the latest
political parties.
elections, or winning five seats in the
latest election.
Korea
Yes, regularly provided Representation in elected body;
funding.
share of votes in previous election;
Yes, in relation to
share of seats in previous election.
campaigns.
Some of the funds available to parties with Parliamentary representation, some to parties with at least 5
MPs, some if party reaches different
vote thresholds in previous election
(lowest 0.5%).
Not applicable.
Equal;
proportional to votes received;
share of expenses reimbursed.
Partly equally, partly by votes
gained.
Not applicable.
Tax relief;
candidates are entitled to copies
of the electoral roll and other material.
Political parties may be entitled to
tax relief if donations are reported
to the Election Commission as
prescribed. Candidates of recognised political parties are entitled to
copies of the electoral roll and other
material and items that the Central
Government in consultation with
the Election Commission may determine. Applies to the elections to
the House of the People and to the
Legislative Assembly of a State.
No.
Tax relief;
premises for campaign meetings;
production of posters.
Indirect funding include tax benefits, production of posters and arrangement of public meeting places
for candidates.
Campaign spending;
ongoing party activities;
intra-party institution.
At least 30% to policy research
center, 10% to Si/Do parties (local
bodies) and 10% for "the political
development of women", in case
of public subsidy for party's routine
operation.
Tax relief;
premises for campaign meetings.
Tax exemptions for political contributions. Certain campaign expenses are borne by the state or local
governments for candidates. Political parties may, for meetings, use
citizens' halls, gymnasiums, or
cultural centers owned or managed
by the state or local governments.
Page 11 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
What are the eligibility
criteria?
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Mexico
Yes, regularly provided funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Share of votes in previous election;
registration as a political party.
Funding is only available to political
parties registered with the EMB. To
keep that right (and the registration
as well), they should obtain at least
2% of the valid votes casted in a
federal election.
Equal;
proportional to votes received.
30% of the public funding are
allocated on an equal basis among
all parties, and 70% according to
the share of votes obtained in the
latest election for the Chamber of
Deputies.
New Zealand
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Yes, in relation to
campaigns.
Campaign funding provided for broadcasting
only. Funding also provided for "parliamentary
purposes".
Representation in elected body;
registration as a political party;
party must give notice.
Ongoing assistance available to
political parties with Parliamentary
representation. Campaign assistance (for broadcasting only) provided to all registered parties that applies for assistance.
Proportional to votes received;
Campaign spending;
proportional to seats received.
ongoing party activities.
Votes and seats in previous elec- Campaign assistance for broadtion, but also "any other indicacasting only. Ongoing assistance
cannot be used for campaigning.
tions of public support for that
political party such as the results
of public opinion polls and the
number of persons who are members of that political party" and "the
need to provide a fair opportunity
for each political party".
No.
Russian
Federation
Yes, regularly provided
funding.
Share of votes in previous election.
Funding is available to political parties if either the candidates on a list
by a political party (or election block
including the party) for deputies to
the State Duma of the Federal Assembly gained not less than 3% of
the vote in a federal constituency or
if a registered candidate for the
President of the Russian Federation
nominated by a party received not
less than 3% of the vote.
Flat rate by votes received. Fund- Realize the objectives and to ating is allocated as flat rate for each tain the goals provided in the charvote received.
ter and program of a political party.
According to the law on political
parties, the property of the parties
can be only used for "realize the
objectives and to attain the goals
provided in the charter and program of a political party."
Premises for campaign meetings;
parties should be provided "equal
conditions".
There are several type of indirect
state support, including access to
public premises.
Campaign spending;
Tax relief;
ongoing party activities;
free or subsidised postage cost.
intra-party institution.
Free postage and use of telegraphic facilities, as well as tax exempRegular funding is for ongoing
activities, on election years parties tions.
receive additional funding for
campaign expenses. Of the funds
parties receive for ongoing activities, at least 2% should be devoted to political education and training activities; political and socioeconomic research, and publications; and another 2% to training,
promotion and development of
women leadership.
Page 12 of 13
Financing of political parties: Public funding to political parties, 2014
Provisions for direct public funding to political parties
Are there provisions
for direct public funding to political parties?
United States
Yes, in relation to campaigns. Public funding is
only provided to the
party convention committees and candidates.
Presidential candidates
who accept the public
funding must limit
spending to the amount
of the grant. There are
public grants available
for candidates in both
the primary and general
elections.
What are the eligibility
criteria?
Share of votes in previous election;
share of votes in next election;
limit campaign expenses and private contributions; providing closed
captioning in tv commercials for
hearing impaired individuals.
To be eligible to receive the public
funds in a general election, a candidate must limit spending to the
amount of the grant and may not
accept private contributions for the
campaign. Private contributions
may, however, be accepted for a
special account maintained exclusively to pay for legal and accounting expenses associated with complying with the campaign finance
law. The amount of public funding to
which a minor party (recieving between 5 and 25 percent of the total
popular vote in the preceding Presidential election) candidate is entitled
is based on the ratio of the party's
popular vote in the preceding Presidential election to the average popular vote of the two major party candidates in that election. A new party
candidate (a party that is neither a
major party nor a minor party) receives partial public funding after the
election if he/she receives 5 percent
or more of the vote. The entitlement
is based on the ratio of the new
party candidate's popular vote in the
current election to the average popular vote of the two major party candidates in the election.
What is the allocation
calculation?
Are there provisions for
how it should be used
“ear marking”)?
Equal. Public funding is distributed Nominating convention.
equally between eligible major
parties in the general election.
Minor parties eligible for public
funding recieves an amount which
bears the same ratio to the major
parties public funding as the number of popular votes received in
the previous presidential election
does to the average number of
popular votes recieved by the
major parties.
Are there provisions for any
other form of indirect
public funding?
Tax relief. So called 527s (following
section 527 of the Internal Revenue
Code) are political organizations
exempted from tax. They may not
coordinate their activities with a
candidate or a party.
Source: IDEA (2014), Political Finance Database, http://www.idea.int/political-finance/ (accessed 26 August 2014).
Page 13 of 13