Motion for a resolution | Doc. 14818 | 24 January 2019
Transparency and regulation of donations to political parties and electoral campaigns from foreign donors
The work of political parties and election campaigns in member States of the Council of Europe is increasingly exposed to international influence and implications. Nevertheless, the work of political parties and election campaigns is generally embedded in a legal and media framework on a national level. Hence, the transparency in the financing of political parties and election campaigns is an important element to ensure citizens' confidence in the integrity and independence of the process of public decision-making. Therefore, the Committee of Ministers requests in its Recommendation Rec(2003)4 on common rules against corruption in the funding of political parties and electoral campaigns that “States should specifically limit, prohibit or otherwise regulate donations from foreign donors”.
Considering disinformation and false news in the context of the work of political parties and election campaigns, the Parliamentary Assembly should emphasise the need to implement maximum transparency and necessary regulation with regard to donations from foreign donors to political parties and election campaigns. On top of that, the Assembly should assess existing regulation in the Council of Europe’s member States.
The Council of Europe’s member States should strengthen citizens’ confidence in the integrity and independence of the process of public decision-making.