06/03/2023 (Agence Europe) – Guided by the importance of combating foreign influence, the Swedish Presidency will attempt, on Wednesday 8 March, to obtain a revised negotiating mandate from the Council of the European Union in order to quickly reach an agreement with the European Parliament on the revision of the EU rules governing European political parties and their foundations (see EUROPE 13134/18). Regarding the scope, Sweden proposes to extend the participation of European parties as associated members to political parties from EFTA countries, former Member States, EU candidate countries or countries allowed to use the euro as their official currency. Other provisions concern the prohibition for associated parties to contribute financially to the budget of European parties, the respect of gender equality in the governing bodies of a European party and the prohibition to finance referendum campaigns at national level. See the Swedish proposals: https://aeur.eu/f/5n8 (MB)