Moldova, Republic of
Question | Value |
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1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
(6) It is prohibited the financing, the provision of services free of charge or the material support in any form, direct and / or indirect, of political parties by: […] |
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(1) It is forbidden to finance, as well as material support in any form, the initiative groups, the electoral campaigns of the candidates and the electoral contestants by other states, by foreign, international and mixed enterprises, institutions and organizations, as well as by natural persons who are not citizens of the Republic of Moldova. The sums thus received are confiscated by decision of the court and are made revenue to the state budget according to the provisions of the criminal and contravention legislation. (3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties,initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by: |
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no ban on corporate donations to political parties. However, the limit on the amount of the donation as well as the limitation of the types of legal entities applies. Source
(5) The donations made by a legal person to one or more political parties in a budget year may not exceed the sum of 12 average monthly salaries per economy established for the respective year. The legal person making a cash donation to a political party must present the decision of its competent bodies regarding the donation, record the donation and reflect it in its accounting reports, as well as inform its shareholders or members about the operations performed. |
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no ban on corporate donations to political parties. However, the limit on the amount of the donation as well as the limitation of the types of legal entities applies. Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties,initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by: |
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
(6) It is prohibited the financing, the provision of services free of charge or the material support in any form, direct and / or indirect, of political parties by: […] |
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties,initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by: |
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
(6) It is prohibited the financing, the provision of services free of charge or the material |
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties,initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by:[…] |
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
(6) It is prohibited the financing, the provision of services free of charge or the material support in any form, direct and / or indirect, of political parties by: […] |
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties,initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by: […] |
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
(6) It is prohibited the financing, the provision of services free of charge or the material support in any form, direct and / or indirect, of political parties by: […] |
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties, initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by: […] |
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Source
(7) Candidates may not use public means and goods (administrative resources) in electoral campaigns, and public authorities / institutions and those assimilated to them may not transmit / grant to electoral contestants public goods or other favors except on the basis of a contract, on equal terms. for all electoral contestants. |
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period? |
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Source
(4) An individual may make donations to one or more political parties. Donations made by a natural person to one or more political parties in a budget year may not exceed the sum of 6 average monthly salaries per economy for that year; in the case of citizens of the Republic of Moldova with incomes obtained abroad, the amount of donations may not exceed 3 average monthly salaries per economy for that year; in the case of citizens of the Republic of Moldova with the status of persons with a position of public dignity, of civil servants, including with special status, or of employees in public organizations within the meaning of Law no. 133/2016 on the declaration of wealth and personal interests, the amount of donations may not exceed 10% of their annual income, at the same time, may not exceed 6 average monthly salaries per economy for that year.[…] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
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
6/12 average monthly salaries
Comment
Donations made by a natural person to one or more political parties in a budget year may not exceed the sum of 6 average monthly salaries per economy for that year. The donations made by a legal person to one or more political parties in a budget year may not exceed the sum of 12 average monthly salaries per economy established for the respective year. Source
(4) An individual may make donations to one or more political parties. Donations made by a natural person to one or more political parties in a budget year may not exceed the sum of 6 average monthly salaries per economy for that year; in the case of citizens of the Republic of Moldova with incomes obtained abroad, the amount of donations may not exceed 3 average monthly salaries per economy for that year; in the case of citizens of the Republic of Moldova with the status of persons with a position of public dignity, of civil servants, including with special status, or of employees in public organizations within the meaning of Law no. 133/2016 on the declaration of wealth and personal interests, the amount of donations may not exceed 10% of their annual income, at the same time, may not exceed 6 average monthly salaries per economy for that year.[…] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
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
6/12 average monthly salaries
Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
6/12 average monthly salaries
Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
Code
Yes, donation limit for private persons apply
Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The same limit like for cash donations applies. Source
(1) Donations made to political parties can be of the following types: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The same limit like for cash donations applies. Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions: […] 1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly, a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information: […] The National Bureau of Statistics informs that the average gross monthly earnings of the national economy in 2019 amounted to MDL 7,356. |
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties have to right the to found and dispose of their own mass media. Source
(2) In order to achieve the statutory and program goals and tasks, political parties have the right: […] |
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Comment
The state grants interest-free loans to electoral competitors with certain conditions, Source
(1) The state grants interest-free loans to electoral contestants. |
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Comment
The state grants interest-free loans to electoral competitors with certain conditions. Source
(1) The state grants interest-free loans to electoral contestants. |
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
Code
Yes
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties. initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by:[…] |
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
Not every donation needs to go through the banking system. Source
4(1) A natural person, during a budget year, may make cash donations to one or more political parties in the amount of up to 3 average salaries per economy established for that year. Donations exceeding this limit will be made exclusively through banking operations. |
Question | Value |
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28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties? |
Code
Yes, regularly
Source
(1) Political parties have the right to receive annual funding from the state budget through the Central Electoral Commission. The regulation on the financing of political parties, including the calculation methodology, is approved by the Central Electoral Commission. The amount of the allocations for this purpose is approved in the annual budget law, the percentage quota constituting 0.1% of the state budget revenues, except for the special purpose revenues provided by the legislation, and is distributed as follows: |
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Source
(1) Political parties have the right to receive annual funding from the state budget through the Central Electoral Commission. The regulation on the financing of political parties, including the calculation methodology, is approved by the Central Electoral Commission. The amount of the allocations for this purpose is approved in the annual budget law, the percentage quota constituting 0.1% of the state budget revenues, except for the special purpose revenues provided by the legislation, and is distributed as follows: |
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Proportional to votes received
Proportional to seats received
Comment
In addition to the regulations contained in the Law on Political Parties, detailed regulations are included in the decisions of the Central Electoral Commission. Source
(1) Political parties have the right to receive annual funding from the state budget through the Central Electoral Commission. The regulation on the financing of political parties, including the calculation methodology, is approved by the Central Electoral Commission. The amount of the allocations for this purpose is approved in the annual budget law, the percentage quota constituting 0.1% of the state budget revenues, except for the special purpose revenues provided by the legislation, and is distributed as follows: Source: Regulation on the financing of activity of political parties, approved by decision of CEC no. 4401 of December 23, 2015 |
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
Source
(1) By the decision of the governing bodies of the political parties, the allocations from the state budget will be used for the following destinations: (2(1)) 20% of the value of the annual allowances from the state budget will be used to promote and encourage women's participation in political and electoral processes, and 10% of the amount of allowances received will be used to promote and encourage young people in political processes and electoral. In the case of political parties in which there are women's and youth organizations, these funds will be managed by the organizations concerned. |
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Yes, during the electoral campaigns. Source
(2) During the electoral campaigns, all political parties participating in the electoral campaign and their candidates for elective positions shall be granted free of charge and in fair conditions, in the manner established by law, airtime on public radio and television stations. |
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Equal
Source
(4) In the electoral campaign for parliamentary, presidential elections and republican referendums, the national broadcasters, whose list is made public by the Audiovisual Coordinating Council in the first 3 days of the electoral period, grant free electoral broadcasters 5 minutes of television and 10 minutes on the radio for the purpose of exposing the electoral programs and informing the voters. The respective airtime is offered in another broadcast space than the one reserved for electoral advertising and electoral debates. The Election Code, the Audiovisual Code and CEC regulations govern the campaign coverage. Parties and blocs running in the national constituency were granted five minutes of free airtime on all national TV channels and ten minutes on radio with nationwide coverage. In addition, they were provided with one minute of free airtime per day to place promotional advertising for the parliamentary elections on the public broadcaster and all broadcasters were required to offer them two minutes per day of paid airtime under equal conditions. The five parties registered for the referendum could also use one minute of free airtime and two minutes of paid airtime per day to campaign for the referendum. |
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(4) In the electoral campaign for parliamentary, presidential elections and republican referendums, the national broadcasters, whose list is made public by the Audiovisual Coordinating Council in the first 3 days of the electoral period, grant free electoral broadcasters 5 minutes of television and 10 minutes on the radio for the purpose of exposing the electoral programs and informing the voters. The respective airtime is offered in another broadcast space than the one reserved for electoral advertising and electoral debates. |
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
No data
|
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
(1) Political parties have the right to receive annual funding from the state budget through the Central Electoral Commission. The regulation on the financing of political parties, including the calculation methodology, is approved by the Central Electoral Commission. The amount of the allocations for this purpose is approved in the annual budget law, the percentage quota constituting 0.1% of the state budget revenues, except for the special purpose revenues provided by the legislation, and is distributed as follows: (2(1)) 20% of the value of the annual allowances from the state budget will be used to promote and encourage women's participation in political and electoral processes, and 10% of the amount of allowances received will be used to promote and encourage young people in political processes and electoral. In the case of political parties in which there are women's and youth organizations, these funds will be managed by the organizations concerned. |
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? |
Code
No
Source
Source: Law on Political Parties, 2007 (amended 2020) |
Question | Value |
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38. Is there a ban on vote buying? |
Code
Yes
Source
(5) Electoral contestants are prohibited from offering money to voters, from distributing material goods to them free of charge, including from humanitarian aid or other charitable actions. (1) Offering or giving money, goods, services or other benefits for the purpose of determining the voter to exercise or not to exercise his electoral rights in the parliamentary, presidential, local elections or in the referendum is punishable by a fine of 550 to 850 conventional units or imprisonment from one to 5 years, and the legal person is punished by a fine of 4,000 to 6,000 conventional units with deprivation of the right to engage in a particular activity or with the liquidation of the legal person. |
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? |
Code
No
Comment
There are limits only on the amount a political party can collect during a year. Source
(3) The annual revenues of a political party from membership fees and donations may not exceed the equivalent of 0.1% of the revenues provided in the state budget for the respective year. |
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
Yes
Comment
There is no official ceiling on spending. Instead there is a general ceiling for revenues collected in electoral campaigns. Source
(2) The financing of the initiative groups and of the electoral campaigns of the electoral contestants by natural or legal persons shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions:[…] |
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
Yes, third parties banned from campaign spending
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties, initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by:[…] |
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Source
Source: Electoral Code, 1997 (amended 2020) |
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Source
Source: Electoral Code, 1997 (amended 2020) |
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist? |
Code
No
Source
Source: Electoral Code, 1997 (amended 2020) |
Question | Value |
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47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances? |
Code
Yes
Source
(1) Every six months, until the 15th of the last month of the reporting period, and annually, until March 31, the political parties will present to the Central Electoral Commission reports on their financial management. The political parties benefiting from allocations from the state budget will also present the respective reports to the Court of Accounts. |
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Source
1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly , a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information:[…] |
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Source
1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly , a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information:[…] |
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
Code
Third parties are banned from participating in campaigns
Source
(3) It is prohibited the financing or material support in any form of the activity of political parties, initiative groups, electoral campaigns / electoral contestants by:[…] |
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
Yes
Source
(2) As an independent supervisory and control body regarding the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, the Central Electoral Commission:[…] |
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Both in regards to the political parties and candidates. Source
(4) The Central Electoral Commission elaborates and approves forms for the annual reports on the financial management, which must contain information regarding:[…] 1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly , a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information: |
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
Code
Yes
Source
(4) The Central Electoral Commission elaborates and approves forms for the annual reports on the financial management, which must contain information regarding: 1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly , a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information: |
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
Code
Yes
Source
(4) The Central Electoral Commission elaborates and approves forms for the annual reports on the financial management, which must contain information regarding: 1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly , a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information:[…] |
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
EMB
Source
(1) Every six months, until the 15th of the last month of the reporting period, and annually, until March 31, the political parties will present to the Central Electoral Commission reports on their financial management. The political parties benefiting from allocations from the state budget will also present the respective reports to the Court of Accounts. 1. Political parties and electoral blocs, initiative groups and independent candidates, in the case of parliamentary and presidential elections, shall submit to the Central Electoral Commission, within 3 days of the opening of the account with the words "Electoral Fund" and, subsequently, weekly , a report on the accumulated funds and the expenses made in the electoral campaign, both in electronic format and on paper, under the signature of the responsible persons. The model report is approved by the Central Electoral Commission and contains the following information:[…] |
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Comment
Central Electoral Commission and Court of Accounts. Source
(1) The independent body that ensures the supervision and control of the financing of the political parties is the Central Electoral Commission, constituted and empowered with attributions according to the Electoral Code and the provisions of the present law. (2) As an independent supervisory and control body regarding the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, the Central Electoral Commission:[…] |
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Refer for investigation
Carry out investigation
Request additional information from potential violator
Impose sanctions
Other
Comment
(1) In case a political party receives donations in violation of the provisions of art. 26, including in case of receiving donations that exceed the established ceilings, the respective political party is obliged, within 3 days from the submission of the donation, to pay into the state budget the amounts received in violation of the law or to return the amounts received over the established ceilings. (2) As an independent supervisory and control body regarding the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, the Central Electoral Commission:[…] |
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions? |
Code
Source
(4) In case of repetition, during a calendar year, of the violation provided in par. (3) andof the application of the contravention sanctions for these violations, the Central Electoral Commission adopts a decision regarding the deprivation of the respective party of the right to the allocations from the state budget for a period from 6 months to one year. (2) As an independent supervisory and control body regarding the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, the Central Electoral Commission:[…] (1) Falsification of reports on the financial management of political parties and / or reports on the financing of election campaigns with the intention of substituting or concealing the identity of donors, the volume of funds accumulated or the destination or volume of funds used shall be punished by a fine of 550 to 850 conventional units or by imprisonment for up to 3 years, in both cases deprived of the right to hold certain positions or to exercise certain activities for a term of up to 5 years. |