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Brussels, 20 March 2023: The Supporting Engagement in European Elections and Democratic Societies (SEEEDS) project conducts its third webinar to disentangle the regulatory jungle in party and campaign finance between the EU and national levels.

The panelists look at how discrepancies in political finance oversight can affect equality of opportunity and transparency in the European elections. A specific focus will be placed on enforcement mechanisms that have been developed at both levels. The firewall between EU and national level legislation concerning how European political parties can be funded and can participate in the elections will be discussed.

Further, what is the role the EU-level could play in promoting best practices among Member States concerning accountability in the political finance sphere?

What are the main regulations in place at the EU-level regarding the financing of 2024 European elections?

What are the main discrepancies between EU-level and national regulations on political finance in the EP elections? How does this look like on the ground in EU Member States?

Which strategies are envisaged to enforce the EU political finance regulations during the 2024 European elections?

How can the so-called “financial firewall” be overcome concerning differing EU and national regulation on the funding and activities of European political parties and foundations?

Is there a legal distinction made between campaigning in a Member State in a “national” EP election campaign, and holding a “European campaign” through activities in a Member State?

What are the implications of this for participants of the elections?

What is the state of play regarding envisaged reforms to enhance accountability of electoral contestants across the EU Member States and at and at the EU-level?

Moderator:
Mr. Alexander Shlyk, International Election Expert, former Head of the Election Department of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (Co-author of the EPDE study)

Panelists:
Ms. Lina Petronienė, Head of the Division of Political Parties and Political Campaigns Funding Control of the Central Electoral Commission of Lithuania
Ms. Barbara Jouan Stonestreet, Senior Legal Expert with the French National Commission on Campaign Accounts and Political Party Financing (CNCCFP) (Co-author of the EPDE study)
Mr. Quentin Reed, Political Finance Expert engaged in research on national provisions affecting European political parties and European political foundations Ms. Shari Hinds, Policy Officer on EU Political Integrity at Transparency International EU

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