Debate: Statute and funding of European political parties and foundations
Date: THURSDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Věra Jourová
Language: EN

A healthy European democracy needs well—informed and engaged citizens. Strong European political parties and foundations that can foster political debate across Europe are essential for creating a truly European public sphere. The revision of the rules applying to the European political parties and foundations is one of the tangible deliverables of the European democracy action plan adopted by the Commission at the end of last year. From the very early phases of our preparatory work for this revision, the Commission has endeavoured to consult all relevant stakeholders to ensure that their analysis and ideas can be considered. I personally engaged in exchanges with the leaders of European political parties to hear what are the challenges to the existing situation and what can be improved. We have aligned the timeline of our work on this file with the timeline of the Parliament’s own—initiative evaluation report on the implementation of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, so that we can also take the views of this House into account. The adoption of the Commission’s evaluation report on the regulation is also in its final stage at this moment. Our plan is to accompany the evaluation report with a legislative proposal for the recast of the regulation on European political parties and foundations to address loopholes and suggest improvements. The proposal will be part of a broader package of initiatives on democratic life and electoral processes in the EU, notably on the transparency of paid political advertising, which is also key for European political parties. The package is currently scheduled for adoption on 23 November. Our aim is to ensure early adoption of the regulation to be in place in time for the European elections in 2024. Let me stress that the Commission agrees with the main findings of the Parliament’s report, namely that the regulation provides a useful legal framework for the functioning of European political parties and their foundations, while a number of shortcomings hinder them from achieving their full potential as active players in European democracy. The co—rapporteurs, Vice—President Wieland and Mr Goerens, whom I met on several occasions as well as other members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, have documented a number of critical issues and made proposals, for instance, on the respect for EU fundamental values, the need for own resources to improve the financial viability of European political parties and foundations, the possibility for using EU funds in national referendum campaigns linked to the implementation of the treaties and the possibility of receiving contributions from members outside the European Union, to mention several main findings. I can assure you that the Commission intends to take on board a number of key elements of your report. The Commission’s proposal will also aim to clarify the cross—European character of European parties campaigning to avoid difficulties of the past. I would like to thank the co—rapporteurs and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. We have had meaningful cooperation and fruitful exchanges in the course of our work, and I can assure you that the Commission is considering seriously your findings and recommendations. And now I look forward to our debate.