Germany
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
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2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
No
|
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
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4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
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5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
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6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
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7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
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8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
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9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
No
Source
"Political parties may accept donations from companies – with the exclusion, however, of companies which are, entirely or in part, in public ownership or are managed or operated by public agencies if the state’s direct participation amounts to more than 25 per cent (Section 25 paragraph 2 no. 5 PPA)." (p. 10f) (Source: GRECO (2009) Evaluation Report on Germany on Transparency of Party Funding (Theme II)) |
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
No
Source
"There are no general rules either applying to the financing of candidates for election. Since candidates are, as a general rule, nominated by political parties, the financing of these candidates is primarily a responsibility of the respective parties." (p. 7) (Source: GRECO (2009) Evaluation Report on Germany on Transparency of Party Funding (Theme II)) |
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
"Political parties may accept donations from companies – with the exclusion, however, of companies which are, entirely or in part, in public ownership or are managed or operated by public agencies if the state’s direct participation amounts to more than 25 per cent (Section 25 paragraph 2 no. 5 PPA)." (p. 10f) (Source: GRECO (2009) Evaluation Report on Germany on Transparency of Party Funding (Theme II)) |
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
No
Source
"There are no general rules either applying to the financing of candidates for election. Since candidates are, as a general rule, nominated by political parties, the financing of these candidates is primarily a responsibility of the respective parties." (p. 7) (Source: GRECO (2009) Evaluation Report on Germany on Transparency of Party Funding (Theme II)) |
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Public facilities can only be made available to parties if all parties are treated equally.
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14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period? |
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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? |
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16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
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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? |
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19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
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20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
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21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
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22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
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23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
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24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
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25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
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26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
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27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system? |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties? |
Code
Yes, in relation to campaigns
Comment
Share of votes in previous election. 0.5% for Bundestag and European Parliament elections or 1% for an election to a Landtag. Source
https://www.cesifo-group.de/ifoHome/facts/DICE/Public-Sector/Public-Governance-and-Law/Financing-of-Political-Parties/Financing-political-parties-public-funding/fileBinary/Financing-political-parties-public-funding.pdf |
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
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30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
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31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
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32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
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33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
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34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
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35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
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36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
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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
|
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
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43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities? |
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44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
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45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
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46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist? |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Annually. However single contributions under 10,000 Euro are not required to be itemized.
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48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
No
Comment
Political parties must report annually on their finances. In case of an election year, the party must within the annual report report specifically of the elections expenditure.
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49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
|
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
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51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
Yes
|
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
Donors must be identified if contribution larger than EUR 500 [I$ 620], and disclosed if value of donations exceeds EUR 10,000 [I$ 12,000] in one year.
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53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
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54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
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55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
Other
Comment
The President of the Bundestag.
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56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Other
Comment
President of the Bundestag |
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations? |
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58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions? |
Code
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