Analytical centre notes expenses of political parties for public events being most non – transparent in Moldova

Chisinau, 24 August /MOLDPRES/ – The expenses incurred by political parties for public events continue being most non – transparent. The finding is contained in report: The financing of political parties in Moldova. Ist semester, 2019, made public by Promo – LEX Association.

Thus, as a result of comparing the expenses reported to the Central Election Commission (CEC) with those estimated by Promo – LEX Association, it was found that 07 political parties did not report expenses in an amount of MDL 7,266,559.

According to annual reports presented to CEC, out of 42 political groups concerned, 25 indicated incomes in the amount of MDL 50,734,049 and a total of the initial balance of MDL 81,921,417. Another 17 parties did not indicate income and expenses.

Of the parties, there are 08 groups with a single source of income, which have relied in Ist semester of 2019 exclusively on the financing from the state budget (BS). Another 12 parties indicated more diversified sources such as contributions or donations, but also grants or other income.

Promo – LEX has also stated that the process of collecting donations through the use of computing and control equipment requires more rigorous supervision, in the context that cash donations continue to be one of the main sources of donations to political parties. However, their collection with or in absence of the use of cash and control equipment according to legal provisions established by the State Tax Service (SFS), remains in the area of unknown.

One of recommendations formulated and reiterated by Promo – LEX stipulates the need to modify legal provisions, so that the collection of donations similar to collection of contributions is made by issuing payment bills. Another recommendation is aimed at establishing cases where there are violated provisions of legislation, investigating these cases and applying sanctions.

The rate of presentation of financial reports by political parties remains high for Ist semester of 2019 – 91.30 per cent, the figures for previous years being 96 per cent (2018) and 93 per cent (2017).