92001E2227

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2227/01

by Herman Schmid (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 July 2001)

Subject: Economic resources of the European political parties

At the June part-session I put an oral Question about the economic relations of the European political parties (H-0460/01)(1) and received an answer from the Commission on 13 June which was incomplete and unsatisfactory.

The background to my Question was that the new concept of European political parties is hard to translate into practical reality because it has to be distinguished from national political parties, while at the same time being something different from the political groups in the European Parliament which are to a varying extent already functioning as European political parties. Is it possible to imagine any other sphere of activity for the European political parties than the political territories of the Member States?

Your reply failed to answer the main point of my Question.

I therefore have no choice but to return to the matter and to ask:

- What does the term own resources in the Commission's answer mean? Could these, for example, come from the funds of national parties? Will the European parties be permitted to accept large-scale financial support from national parties?

- Will it be permissible for a part of the remaining 75 % to come from the national parties (should the Commission be unable to pay the full amount)?

- I understand that rigorous financial controls will be carried out, but for that very reason I should like to know what rules apply. Are the European parties to be permitted to use their resources for activities in the Member States, or will the new regulations rule that out?

(1) Written answer of 13 June 2001.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 2001)

The Commission tabled its original proposal on 13 February 2001 and, following Parliament's Opinion given on 17 May 2001, tabled a revised proposal on taking up some of Parliament's amendments.

The proposal is currently pending before Council, where unanimity is required. No final decision can be expected before October 2001.

The Commission proposal lays down that parties must cover at least 25 % of their budgets from own resources, that is to say from any resources other than the Community Budget. This own resources component could be covered by contributions or subscriptions from national member parties or from individuals or organisations.

The total amount that a party can receive from the Community Budget will depend on the resources made available by the budgetary authority and the application of the distribution provisions set out in Article 7(a) and 7(b) of the draft Regulation. It is conceivable that this amount might represent less than 75 % of a party's total budget.

Control of financing under this regulation shall be exercised in accordance with the Financial Regulation and its implementing rules and also on the basis of an annual certification by an external independent audit.

European political parties may not contribute financially to purely national political activities with resources from the Community Budget.