The rules for donations to political parties are complex. In part, they are as follows:
'For the 1994 General Elections, donations by individuals were limited to a maximum of 10% of the 1993 gross profits [i.e. their personal incomes] ... In the case of companies, the maximum was 2% of the gross income in 1993... [T]hese limitations have ... been extensively criticized since the limit on contributions is based on a percentage of income instead of a fixed maximum amount. This mechanism has favoured those parties more closely related to financial and economic elites...' (p. 43.)
Professional associations, trade associations and trade unions are restricted to gifts of no more than 10 percent of their budgets.
The contributions by a company in a single fiscal year must not exceed 5 percent of its average profits, determined in accordance with the provisions of the companies law, during the three years immediately proceeding the relevant financial year.
- The amount that may be contributed by individuals - including separate members of one household - to political parties is limited to an amount equal to 27,240 NIS per year (approximately U.S.$ 9,100) or 54,480 NIS (approximately U.S.
$18,200) during an election year.
- A legal amendment of 1993 forbade a candidate in a party primary election campaign from accepting in excess of 5,000 NIS (approximately U.S. $1,700) from any donor, his family or dependents included. In primaries where a candidate for prime minister or party chairman is running together with other members of the party, the ceiling is four times greater.
- In primaries for the office of Prime Minister the limit is 20,000 NIS, approximately U.S.$6,666.
Italy
Donations from any source to a candidate are limited to 20 million lire.
Japan
- Annual donations to political parties from institutions, corporations, unions, or other groups are allowed ranging from - 7.5 million (U.S. $ 75,000) to - 100 million ((U.S. $ 1 million) in accordance with the sum of capital issued by the corporation or the number of members of the union or group. Contributions to any single political faction or support organisation are limited to - 1.5 million (U.S. $15,000), but this restriction does not apply to contributions made to any single political party or political fundraising organisation.
- To political parties from individuals, annual contributions - except testamentary gifts-made by individual citizens to political parties or political fundraising organisations are to be restricted to - 20 million; to political factions or support organisations to - 10 million; and to any single fund management body - 1.5 million.
Mexico
Non-profit organisations are allowed to donate up to 5 percent of the total amount of public financing granted to the political party in the corresponding year.
Russia
For candidates for deputy of the Duma of the Federal Assembly:
- a candidate's own funds may not exceed 1000 minimum salaries,
- funds allocated by the electoral association or electoral bloc that has nominated the candidate, up to 1500 minimum salaries.
Candidates for president:
- a candidate's own funds may not exceed 1000 minimum salaries,
- individual voluntary donations up to 50 minimum salaries each.
Taiwan
- From individuals to political parties. not more than NT $200,000, approximately U.S.$7,692.
- From individuals to candidates, not more than NT $20,000, approximately U.S. $769 and up to 20 percent of their annual income.
- From corporations to a political party, not more than NT $3 million, approximately U.S. $115,000.
- From corporations to any single candidate, not more than NT $300,000, approximately U.S. $11,500 and up to 10 percent of their income.
Turkey
Individuals and those private corporations which are permitted to donate to political parties are restricted to U.S. $10,000 per annum, including the value of services.
United States
- Individuals may only give up to a maximum of $1,000 to each candidate in each federal election and in each primary election; up to $5,000 a year to a 'political action committee', such as those sponsored by business corporations or labour unions; and $20,000 a year to a national political party committee. Political contributions by one person to all candidates and election committees are limited to a total of $25,000 a year.
- Political Action Committees (PACs) that qualify may contribute up to $5,000 to a candidate in each election and each primary.
Sources
France
Yves-Marie Doublet, L'argent et la politique en France. Paris: Economica, 1997, pp. 16 and 72-3.
Germany
Werner Kaltefleiter and Karl-Heinz Nassmacher, 'The New German System of Public Subsidies to Political Parties.' In Josef Thesing and Wilhelm Hofmeister, editors, Political Parties in Democracy. Sankt Augustin: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, 1995, p. 393.
Russia
Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO), Election Law Compendium of Central and Eastern Europe. Kyiv: International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), 1995.
United States
Milton C. Cummings Jr. and David Wise, Democracy Under Pressure. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, seventh edition, 1993, p. 298.
Other countries
Library of Congress, Law Library, Report for Congress: Campaign Financing of National Elections in Selected Foreign Countries. Washington D.C.: July 1995, LL95-4,95-1354, pp. 107, 119, 130, 140, 166, 189, 195.
