Romania funds its political parties with EUR 2.2 mln this year

Political parties in Romania have received some EUR 2.21 million from the state budget since the beginning of the year, according to data from the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP). The figure is the equivalent of 7,879 minimum wages in Romania, reports local Mediafax. The National Liberal Party (PNL) received the largest amount – RON 4.21 million (EUR 946,000), followed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) – RON 3.64 million (EUR 817,000). The National Union for Romania's Progress (UNPR) got RON 1.39 million (EUR 312,000) from the state budget so far this year, the Liberal Democratic Alliance (ALDE) received RON 330,526 (EUR 74,200), and the Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNTCD) got RON 29,952 (some EUR 6,700). Political parties can use the money received from the state budget to pay for their headquarters’ maintenance and operation, staff salaries, propaganda and other political activities, as well as to cover travel expenses in the country and abroad. They can also use the money to pay phone bills or to cover the contributions to the international political organizations they’ve joined. Romania's political parties have been receiving state subsidies since 2008 through the Permanent Electoral Authority’s budget. They are required to register the subsidies separately in their accounting records. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com