Moldovan political parties to be funded from state budget

Chisinau, 19 March /MOLDPRES/- The political parties will have the right to yearly receive financing from the state budget. The allocations will not exceed 0.2 per cent of the budget's revenues and will be provided depending on the performances got at the parliamentary or local elections. The parliament adopted a draft law on the issue in the second reading today.

The draft sees prohibition of funding the electoral contenders by other states, enterprises, international and mixed institutions and organisations, as well as by private people who are not citizens of Moldova. At the same time, the electoral contenders will be banned from proposing money to electors and from distributing goods free of charge.

The political parties will be obliged to yearly present reports on financial management to the Central Electoral Commission. Falsification of these reports will be punished with a fine from 4,000 to 10,000 lei or up to three years of imprisonment. 

Should political parties' representatives use state budget allocations contrary to their purpose, they will be fined with up to 100,000 lei or imprisonment from 1 to 5 years. At the same time, the use of funds received from abroad or publicly undeclared funds in elections or referendum is punished with a fine worth up to 10,000 lei.

The draft will enter into force on the date of its publication. Except for the provisions related to financing of political parties from the state budget, due to enter into force on 1 January 2016.

(Reporter N. Sandu, editor A. Răileanu)