Brussels, 07/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - In an own initiative (non-legislative) report adopted in Strasbourg on Wednesday 6 April, the European Parliament suggests that European political parties and related foundations should have “legal personality” under EU law. The report by Marietta Giannakou (EPP, Greece) also calls for greater flexibility when it comes to how European political parties are financed, and an upper limit on donations they may receive. European parties should be allowed to take part in referendum campaigns in the future, in the EP's view. Most European parties funded by the EU are registered as “non-governmental organisations” in Belgium although some have their headquarters in other member states. The MEPs say that greater convergence is needed in this domain and suggest a special legal status and common financing for all European parties, based on EU law. Such a uniform legal status would enable European political parties and foundations to behave as “representatives of the European public interest” and therefore the MEPs ask the Commission to prepare a draft legal status to this end. When it comes to party funding, the EP recommends a review of the current rules that stipulate that EU funding can cover up to 85% of running costs but political parties must cover the remaining amount themselves. The MEPs suggest that the 85% could be raised to 90% and suggest increasing the current limit of €12,000 a year from any one donor to €25,000 a year. The EP wants the names of donors to be published at the time when they make a donation and wants European political parties to be allowed to take part in referendum campaigns if the referendum is related to European issues (this is not allowed under current rules). (H.B./transl.fl)