Political Finance Database

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

2018
Bans and limits on private income
Public funding
Regulations of spending
Reporting, oversight and sanctions
Question Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?
Code
No
Comment

Absent from legal framework

2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?
Code
No
Source

Absent from legal framework

3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

All donations from legal entities are banned.

Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. The  donations  coming  from  a  legal  entity  are  not  allowed.  The  same  is  applicable  to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. 

4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

All donations from legal entities are banned.

5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

All donations from legal entities are banned.

6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

All donations from legal entities are banned.

7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

Anonymous donations are forbidden. 

Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. We understand a donation to a political party in the sense of this law to be any voluntary act to grant a party an exact economic advantage and computable in cash.

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed. The same is applicable to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. Anonymous donations are forbidden.

8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
Code
Yes
Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. We understand a donation to a political party in the sense of this law to be any voluntary act to grant a party an exact economic advantage and computable in cash.

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed. The same is applicable to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. Anonymous donations are forbidden.

9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed.

Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. We understand a donation to a political party in the sense of this law to be any voluntary act to grant a party an exact economic advantage and computable in cash.

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed. The same is applicable to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. Anonymous donations are forbidden.

10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed.

Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. We understand a donation to a political party in the sense of this law to be any voluntary act to grant a party an exact economic advantage and computable in cash.

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed. The same is applicable to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. Anonymous donations are forbidden.

11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed.

Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. We understand a donation to a political party in the sense of this law to be any voluntary act to grant a party an exact economic advantage and computable in cash.

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed. The same is applicable to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. Anonymous donations are forbidden.

12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed.

Source

Chapter III, Article 8, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

Art. 8. Only the natural persons are authorized to make donations to political parties and to their members. We understand a donation to a political party in the sense of this law to be any voluntary act to grant a party an exact economic advantage and computable in cash.

The donations coming from a legal entity are not allowed. The same is applicable to donations made by associations, groups or bodies that do not have a legal personality. Anonymous donations are forbidden.

13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
Code
No
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?
Code
No
Comment

Absent from legal framework

15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
Comment

Absent from legal framework

16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?
Code
No
Comment

Absent from legal framework.

17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
Comment

Absent from legal framework.

18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?
Code
No
Comment

Absent from legal framework.

19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
Comment

Absent from legal framework.

20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
Code
No
Comment

Absent from legal framework

21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
Code
No
Source

Chapter III, Article 9, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

"Political parties shall keep a record of donors indicating the annual donations in cash and the evaluation of gifts in kind exceeding euro 250.
The statement of yearly donations in cash and in kind exceeding euro 250 shall be presented annually, jointly with the accounts and balances, to the Prime Minister, the Minister of State and a copy to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, according to the provisions of article 6."

22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
Code
No
Source

Chapter III, Article 9, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

"Political parties shall keep a record of donors indicating the annual donations in cash and the evaluation of gifts in kind exceeding euro 250.
The statement of yearly donations in cash and in kind exceeding euro 250 shall be presented annually, jointly with the accounts and balances, to the Prime Minister, the Minister of State and a copy to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, according to the provisions of article 6."

23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
Code
No
Comment

No specific mention in  Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No data
Comment

No specific mention in  Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
Comment

No specific mention in  Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended in 2011

26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
Code
Yes
Comment
All donations from legal entities are banned.
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?
Code
No
Question Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?
Code
Yes, both regularly and in relation to campaigns
Comment

Annual contributions from state budget consisting of a lump sum and in relation to votes received.

Source

Chapter II, Article 2, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques,2007, amended 2011

Art. 2. The political parties that
- presented a full list in the four constituencies during the legislative elections and a full
list in the unique national constituency during European elections and
- obtained at least two percent from the total votes both in the four constituencies for
national elections as a national average and in the unique national constituency for
European elections
are entitled, apart from the contribution that they have been allocated in enforcing
Chapter IX of the law amended on February 18, 2003, to an annual contribution from the
state budget, determined as follows:
1. lump sum of 100,000 Euros ;
2. an additional amount of 11,500 Euros for each percentage point from the additional
votes received during the national elections ;
3. an additional amount of 11,500 Euros for each percentage point from the additional
votes received during the European elections.
In granting the additional amount, each percentage point from the additional votes
received shall be taken into account until the second position behind the comma.
The contribution, determined as per the previous paragraphs, cannot exceed 75 percent
of the global revenue of the central structure of a political party. It is for the respective
political party to demonstrate the burden of proof.
If a political party no longer meets the terms stipulated in paragraph 1, it shall lose the
benefit of public financing starting with the subsequent financial year.

29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?
Code
  • Representation in elected body
  • Share of votes in previous election
Comment

Parties must present a full list of candidates and gain at least 2% of the vote.

Source

Chapter II, Article 2, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques,2007, amended 2011

The political parties that presented a full list in the four constituencies during the legislative elections and a full list in the unique national constituency during European elections and obtained at least two percent from the total votes both in the four constituencies for national  elections  as  a  national  average  and  in  the  unique  national  constituency  for European elections are  entitled,  apart  from  the  contribution  that  they  have  been  allocated  in  enforcing Chapter IX of the law amended on February 18, 2003, amended 2011, to an annual contribution from the state budget

30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?
Code
Equal Proportional to votes received
Comment

Annual contributions from state budget consisting of a lump sum and in relation to votes received.

Source

Chapter II, Article 2 and Article 3 , Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art. 2. The political parties that
- presented a full list in the four constituencies during the legislative elections and a full list in the unique national constituency during European elections and
- obtained at least two percent from the total votes both in the four constituencies for national elections as a national average and in the unique national constituency for European elections are entitled, apart from the contribution that they have been allocated in enforcing Chapter IX of the law amended on February 18, 2003, to an annual contribution from the state budget, determined as follows:
1. lump sum of 100,000 Euros ;
2. an additional amount of 11,500 Euros for each percentage point from the additional
votes received during the national elections ;
3. an additional amount of 11,500 Euros for each percentage point from the additional
votes received during the European elections.
In granting the additional amount, each percentage point from the additional votes received shall be taken into account until the second position behind the comma. The contribution, determined as per the previous paragraphs, cannot exceed 75 percent of the global revenue of the central structure of a political party. It is for the respective political party to demonstrate the burden of proof. If a political party no longer meets the terms stipulated in paragraph 1, it shall lose the
benefit of public financing starting with the subsequent financial year.

Art. 3. The official results of the elections proclaimed by the president of the main offices or of the main office of the constituency represent the basis for computing the contribution. [...]

 

31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?
Code
  • Campaign spending
  • Ongoing party activities
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter II, Article 4  and Chapter IV, Article 13, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art.  4.  The  funds  of  the  political  parties  coming  from  public  financing  as  per  the provisions  of  this  law  may  only  be  affected  by  expenditures  such  as  the  ones  defined  in article  13,  paragraph  2  in  this  law  and  directly  related  to  the  objectives  defined  in  the statutes. 

Art 13 
The expenditures account includes: 
1.  operating expenses; 
2.  expenses with training, studying and research ; 
3.  expenses regarding events and publications ; 
4.  electoral expenses; 
5.  contributions to the international organizations and associations ; 
6.  amounts granted to other members of the party ; 
7.  expenses regarding the movable and immovable assets ; 
8.  various expenses. 

32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
No
Comment

No specific mention in Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques,2007, amended 2011

33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
Not applicable
Comment

No specific mention in Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques,2007, amended 2011

34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?
Code
No
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?
Code
Yes
Source

Chapter IX, Article 92, Loi Electoral, 2003, amended in 2015

Art. 92.- Les frais d’affranchissement postaux d’une seule communication adressée sous forme d’imprimé aux électeurs de leur circonscription électorale avant chaque élection au Parlement européen et à la Chambre des députés sont remboursés par l’Etat à chaque parti politique ou groupement de candidats sur présentation des pièces justificatives, pour autant qu’il a recueilli au moins cinq pour cent des suffrages valables émis dans la circonscription
concernée.
Les modalités et les caractéristiques, et notamment le format et l’ampleur des communications, ainsi que les conditions de leur envoi par la poste sont fixés d’après les prescriptions de l’Entreprise des Postes et Télécommunications.

36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?
Code
No
Question Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?
Code
Yes
Comment

Fine from Eur 251 to Eur 2000 and improsonment from 8 hours to one month

Source

Article 97, Loi Electoral, 2003, amended 2015

Art. 97.- Est puni d’une amende de 251 à 2.000 euros et d’un emprisonnement de huit jours à un mois ou de l’une de ces peines seulement, quiconque, pour déterminer un électeur à s’abstenir de voter ou à remettre un bulletin de vote nul, ou pour influencer son vote ou pour l’empêcher ou lui défendre de se porter candidat, a usé à son égard de voies de fait, de violences ou de menaces, ou lui a fait craindre de perdre son emploi ou d’exposer à un dommage sa
personne, sa famille ou sa fortune.

39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?
Code
No
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?
Code
No
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?
Code
No data
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?
Code
No
Question Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter IV, Article 12, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art. 12. The central structure of a political party is obliged to approve every year, before July 1, its accounts for the previous accounting year. The accounting year starts on January 1 and ends on December 31 of every year. The accounts approved by the political party bear all revenues and expenditures as well as its assets and liabilities’ status. 

48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter IV, Article 12 & Article 13 Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art. 12. The central structure of a political party is obliged to approve every year, before July 1, its accounts for the previous accounting year. The accounting year starts on January 1 and ends on December 31 of every year. The accounts approved by the political party bear all revenues and expenditures as well as its assets and liabilities’ status. 

Art. 13. The expenditures account includes: 
4.  electoral expenses; 

49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter IV, Article 11, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

"Notwithstanding the legal autonomy, every member of a party without exception must declare to the competent national body the donations that it received."

50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
Code
Third parties are banned from participating in campaigns
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

 Chapter IV, Article 16, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

"This data can be consulted freely by any interested person in the Donors of the Chamber of Deputies that publishes the data on its webpage."

52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter IV, Article 8 & Article 12, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art 8. Anonymous donations are forbidden. 

Art 12. The accounts, as well as the list of donors, are sent to the Court of Accounts to be checked and audited, within the month that follows their approval by the competent authority of the political party.

53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter IV, Article 13, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art. 13. The revenues account includes :
1. the contributions of the members;
2. the contributions of the elected representatives;
3. the donations or legacies ;
4. the revenues from movable or immovable assets ;
5. the revenues from events and publications ;
6. the various services with a pecuniary value or that could be expressed as bearing pecuniary value;

7. various revenues;
8. contributions paid by members of the party ;
9. public donations.
[...]
A grand duchy regulation may set a uniform accounting plan, stating the form of the
accounts and balances and determining the bookkeeping methods.

54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
Code
Yes
Comment

BLANK

Source

Chapter IV, Article 13, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art.13. [...] The expenditures account includes:
1. operating expenses;
2. expenses with training, studying and research ;
3. expenses regarding events and publications ;
4. electoral expenses;
5. contributions to the international organizations and associations ;
6. amounts granted to other members of the party ;
7. expenses regarding the movable and immovable assets ;
8. various expenses.

A grand duchy regulation may set a uniform accounting plan, stating the form of the
accounts and balances and determining the bookkeeping methods.

55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?
Code
  • Court
  • Other
Comment

Court of Accounts, Prime Minister, Minister of State and President of the Chamber of Deputies.

Source

Chapter IV, Article 14, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art. 14. The accounts and balances approved as per articles 11, 12 and 13 are submitted on the month that follows their approval by the competent authority of the political party to the Prime Minister, Minister of State and to the President of the Chamber of Deputies that sends them along with the list of donors to the Court of Accounts to be verified and audited.

56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
Code
Court
Comment

Court of Accounts

Source

Chapter IV, Article 14, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Court of Accounts -  The accounts and balances approved as per articles 11, 12 and 13 are submitted on the month that follows their approval by the competent authority of the political party to the Prime Minister, Minister of State and to the President of the Chamber of Deputies that sends them along with the list of donors to the Court of Accounts to be verified and audited.

57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
Code
Request additional information from potential violator
Source

Chapter IV, Article 15, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art. 15. The political parties are obliged to communicate to the Court of Accounts all documents or any information that the latter deems necessary to carry out its mission.

58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?
Code
  • Fines
  • Prison
  • Forfeiture
  • Suspension of political party
Comment

Depending on the type of infraction sanctions - besides forfeiture and suspension of public funding -  can range from Imprisonment from four months to five years and a fine of 251 euros to 30,000 euros or imprisonment from eight days to two years and a fine of 500 euros to 5,000 euros.

Source

Suspension of public funding: 
Chapter II, Article 7, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011)

Art. 7.  Non-compliance with the obligations stipulated in the previous article entails the suspension  of  the  payments  until  the  remedy  of  the  situation.  This  can  also  include  the non-compliance of article 15.  

Forfeiture and fines: 
Chapter II, Article 7, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

"Financial  aids  improperly  used  shall  be  returned  to  the  State  Treasury.  In  case  of convictions  according  to  article  17,  the  concerned  political  party  must  pay  the  State Treasury the triple value of the amounts illegally used. "

Fines and imprisonment: 

Chapter II, Article 17, Loi portant Réglementation du Financement des Partis Politiques, 2007, amended 2011

Art.  17. False statements related to article 6 lines  2 and  3 as  well  as the breach of  the  provisions  of  articles  8  and  9  line  3  shall  be  sanctioned  according  to  the  provisions  of articles 496-1, 496-2 and 496-3 of the Criminal Code. Article 23 lines (2) and (3) of the Criminal procedure code shall be applied. 

ALSO:

rticles 496-1, 496-2 and 496-3 of the Criminal Code, 1879, amended 2016

Art. 496. (L. 18 juillet 2014) Quiconque, dans le but de s’approprier une chose appartenant à autrui, se sera fait remettre ou délivrer ou aura tenté de se faire remettre ou délivrer des fonds, meubles, obligations, quittances, décharges, clefs électroniques, soit en faisant usage de faux noms ou de fausses qualités, soit en employant des manoeuvres frauduleuses pour persuader l’existence de fausses entreprises, d’un pouvoir ou d’un crédit imaginaire, pour faire naître l’espérance ou la crainte d’un succès, d’un accident ou de tout autre événement chimérique, ou pour abuser autrement de la confiance ou de la crédulité, sera puni d’un emprisonnement de quatre mois à cinq ans et d’une amende de 251 euros à 30.000 euros.
Le coupable pourra de plus être condamné à l'interdiction, conformément à l'article 24.
Art. 496-1. (L. 15 juillet 1993) Est puni des peines prévues à l’article 496, celui qui sciemment fait une déclaration fausse ou incomplète en vue d’obtenir ou de conserver une subvention, indemnité ou autre allocation qui est, en tout ou en partie, à charge de l’Etat, d’une autre personne morale de droit public ou d’une institution internationale.
Art. 496-2. (L. 15 juillet 1993) Est puni des peines prévues à l’article 496, celui qui suite à une déclaration telle que visée à l’article précédent, reçoit une subvention, indemnité ou autre allocation à laquelle il n’a pas droit ou à laquelle il n’a droit que partiellement.
(L. 30 mars 2001) Est puni des mêmes peines celui qui aura sciemment employé une subvention, indemnité ou allocation telle que visée à l’article précédent, à d’autres fins que celles pour lesquelles elle a été initialement accordée.
Art. 496-3. (L. 30 mars 2001) Est puni des peines prévues à l’article 508, celui qui accepte ou conserve une subvention, indemnité ou autre allocation, ou partie d’une subvention, indemnité ou autre allocation, sachant qu’il n’y a pas droit.

Art. 508. Seront punis d'un emprisonnement de huit jours à deux ans et d'une amende de 500 euros à 5.000 euros:
Ceux qui, ayant trouvé une chose mobilière appartenant à autrui ou en ayant obtenu par hasard la possession, l'auront frauduleusement celée ou livrée à des tiers;
Ceux qui, ayant découvert un trésor, se le seront approprié au préjudice des personnes auxquelles la loi en attribue une partie.

 

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