Considerations on COM(2007)364 - Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding

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dossier COM(2007)364 - Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules ...
document COM(2007)364 EN
date December 18, 2008
 
table>(1)Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) provides that the European Parliament is to publish a report on the application of that Regulation, including — where appropriate — possible amendments to be made to the funding system.
(2)In its Resolution of 23 March 2006 on European political parties (3), the European Parliament considered that, in light of experience gained since its entry into force in 2004, Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 should be improved as regards a number of points, all of them with the overriding objective of improving the funding situation of those political parties and the foundations affiliated with them.

(3)Provisions to provide financial support for political foundations at European level should be laid down, as political foundations at European level affiliated with the political parties at European level may through their activities support and underpin the objectives of the political parties at European level notably in terms of contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and on European integration, including by acting as catalysts for new ideas, analysis and policy options. This financial support should be provided in the section headed ‘Parliament’ of the general budget of the European Union, as is the case for political parties at European level.

(4)It remains an important objective to ensure the broadest possible participation of citizens in the democratic life of the European Union. In this context, political youth organisations can play a special role in fostering interest in, and concrete knowledge about, the political system of the European Union amongst young people, actively promoting their participation in democratic activities at European level.

(5)In order to improve the conditions for the funding of political parties at European level, while encouraging them to ensure adequate long-term financial planning, the minimum co-funding requirement should be adjusted. The same level of co-funding should be required for political foundations at European level.

(6)With a view to further enhancing and promoting the European nature of the elections to the European Parliament, it should be established clearly that appropriations received from the general budget of the European Union may also be used for the financing of campaigns conducted by the political parties at European level in the context of European Parliament elections, provided that this does not constitute a direct or indirect financing of national political parties or candidates. Political parties at European level act in the context of European Parliament elections in particular in order to highlight the European character of those elections. In accordance with Article 8 of the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom (4), the funding of and limitation of election expenses at European Parliament elections is governed in each Member State by national provision. National law also applies for election expenses at national elections and referenda,