In Strasbourg on Thursday 15 June, the European Parliament called for the rules on the statutes and funding of the European political parties and European political foundations to be improved.
In their adoption (409 votes to 134 and 25 abstentions) of a common resolution tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA Groups, the MEPs criticised the many shortcomings in Regulation 1141/2014 (statute and funding of European political parties and political foundations), particularly regarding the level of co-funding (own resources) and the fact that members of the Parliament can belong to more than one party. The Commission is called upon to take a closer look at all the shortcomings and to propose a revision of the regulation as soon as possible.
Adopting an amendment tabled by the GUE/NGL Group, the Parliament reiterates that Article 6 of Regulation 1141/2014 provides for an authority to be set up by 1 September 2016 for European political parties and European political foundations tasked with ruling on the registration and deregistration of European political parties and political foundations.
During the debate the day before, Rainer Wieland (EPP, Germany), observed that “in my country, limits have been set” on the funding of European political parties. At European level, the current rules are not, in his view, sufficient. “Some people have sought to use the mechanism's loopholes. We need sanctions”, without waiting for 2018, he said. Mercedes Bresso (S&D, Italy) stressed the need to ensure that the actions of these parties do not run counter to the fundamental principles of the EU, such as the transparency of their funding. We must fight any abuse that may exist in the use of the funding, she summarised.
Tightening up the existing framework. On behalf of the European Commission, Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said that the Parliament's resolution would be an important contribution to our reflection on the best options to continue to refine the framework governing political parties at European level. Improvements may be possible before the next elections of 2019. However, he recognised that it was an ambitious objective that may be met only if the amendments are carefully targeted and the political ground is properly prepared to garner sufficient support at the Parliament and Council.
Moscovici said that plans to reduce the co-funding rate had previously been presented by the Commission, but had not secured the support of the EU countries. The changes will also need to be defended in the national capitals, as these are key to many decisions or blockages. The Commission will discuss possible proposals in this area in the College of Commissioners. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)