Plans to strengthen responsibility for financing illegal parties

In order to prevent illegal financing of political parties, which distorts the principles of fair competition between political parties, the Saeima supported the amendments to the Criminal Law in the first reading on Thursday, May 2. The amendments are intended to reduce the threshold of illegal financing, from which criminal liability arises.

As its authors note in the annotation of the draft law, in cases where political parties are involved in receiving illegal funding, it undermines public trust in the political system as a whole.

It is planned that criminal liability will arise if a political organization (party) or an association of political organizations (parties) has been illegally financed to a significant amount, that is, not less than the total amount of ten minimum monthly salaries (currently seven thousand euros). Until now, criminal liability was assumed for a large amount – the total amount of 50 minimum monthly wages (currently – 35 thousand euros).

In order for the amendments to enter into force, they must be supported by the Saeima in two more readings.

Press Service of the Saeima