Switzerland
Question | Value |
---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Art. 76h Anonymous donations and donations from abroad Source
Article 76h, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Art. 76h Anonymous donations and donations from abroad Source
Article 76h, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
No
|
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
Code
No
|
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
No
|
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
Code
No
|
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Art. 76h Anonymous donations and donations from abroad Source
Article 76h, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Art. 76h Anonymous donations and donations from abroad Source
Article 76h, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
No
|
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
No
|
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
No
|
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
No
|
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
|
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
|
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
Code
No
|
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
|
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
No
|
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
|
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
Code
No
|
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Art. 76h Anonymous donations and donations from abroad Source
Article 76h, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Art. 76h Anonymous donations and donations from abroad Source
Article 76h, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
Code
No
|
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
|
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
|
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
Code
No
|
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
No public funding available
Comment
At the federal level, there is no public funding for extra-parliamentary party organisations, only for political groups. See: Parliament Resources Act, PRG. |
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Not applicable
|
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Not applicable
|
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
Not applicable
|
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
"Political advertising is prohibited on television and radio. Source
Article 10, Federal Act on Radio and Television (Bundesgesetz |
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Not applicable
|
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
"Political advertising is prohibited on television and radio. Source
Article 10, Federal Act on Radio and Television (Bundesgesetz |
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Natural persons can deduct membership fees and voluntary donations to political parties. The deduction is CHF 5,200 (cantonal and municipal taxes) or CHF 10,300* (direct federal tax) limited per person. Source
Article 33(i) Federal Law on direct federal taks (Bundesgesetz über die direkte Bundessteuer) |
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
No provisions on gender equality in the rules. |
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
No provisions on gender equality in the rules. |
Question | Value |
---|---|
38. Is there a ban on vote buying? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Corrupt electoral practices Source
Article 281 Swiss Criminal Code (Schweizerisches Strafgesetzbuch) |
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
|
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
Yes, for candidates
Yes, for political parties
Comment
"Political advertising is prohibited on television and radio. Source
Article 10, Federal Act on Radio and Television (Bundesgesetz |
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
The political parties represented in the Federal Assembly shall disclose their funding. Source
Article 76b Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Individuals, legal entities and partnerships that run a campaign related to an election to the National Council or a federal vote must disclose the funding thereof if they spend more than 50,000 francs. Source
Article 76c Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Individuals, legal entities and partnerships that run a campaign related to an election to the National Council or a federal vote must disclose the funding thereof if they spend more than 50,000 francs. Source
Article 76c Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Individuals, legal entities and partnerships that run a campaign related to an election to the National Council or a federal vote must disclose the funding thereof if they spend more than 50,000 francs. Source
Article 76c Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
Yes
Comment
On completing the verification process in accordance with Article 76e, the competent body shall publish the information and the documents on its website. Source
Article 76f Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
"Regular donations: Source
Articles 76b and 76c, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
Code
Yes
Comment
"Annual reporting: Source
Articles 76b and 76c, Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no obligation to report on the expenditure of political actors. |
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
Auditing agency
Comment
Swiss Federal Audit Office. Source
Swiss Confederatio Federal Assembly Elections ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report, 22 October 2023 |
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Auditing agency
Comment
Swiss Federal Audit Office Source
Swiss Confederatio Federal Assembly Elections ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report, 22 October 2023 |
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Carry out investigation
Request additional information from others
Request additional information from potential violator
Comment
"Art. 76i Processing of personal data and exchange of information Source
Article 76i Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions? |
Code
Fines
Comment
"A fine of up to 40,000 francs shall be imposed on anyone who wilfully: Source
Article 76j Federal Act on Political Rights (Bundesgesetz über die politischen Rechte) |