Political Finance Database

Serbia

Serbia

Bans and limits on private income
Public funding
Regulations of spending
Reporting, oversight and sanctions
Question Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural persons and legal entities, except international political associations.
Importantly, the term used in the legal text, "international political association," could refer to political foundations established by political parties (e.g., Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert, etc.) Importantly, because the article specifies that this donation cannot be in money, it could refer to educational and consulting activities, such as international conferences, courses, etc. 

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited.""  
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022"

2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural persons and legal entities, except international political associations.
Importantly, the term used in the legal text, "international political association," could refer to political foundations established by political parties (e.g., Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert, etc.) Importantly, because the article specifies that this donation cannot be in money, it could refer to educational and consulting activities, such as international conferences, courses, etc. 

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited."
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

Specifically, financing from the gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, is prohibited. 

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022

4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural persons and legal entities, except international political associations.
Importantly, the term used in the legal text, "international political association," could refer to political foundations established by political parties (e.g., Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert, etc.) Importantly, because the article specifies that this donation cannot be in money, it could refer to educational and consulting activities, such as international conferences, courses, etc. 

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited."  
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited."  
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited."
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited."  
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

There is a ban.

Source

"It is prohibited to finance a political entity by foreign states; foreign natural or legal persons, except international political associations; anonymous donors, public institutions, public enterprises, companies and entrepreneurs engaged in services of general interest, institutions and companies with state capital share, other organizations discharging administrative authority and individuals who are prohibited by law to be members of political parties; trade unions, associations and other non-profit organizations, churches and religious communities; gaming industry; importers, exporters and manufacturers of excise goods, legal entities and entrepreneurs with due, and unsettled, public revenue obligations, unless set forth otherwise by this Law.
Donations from international political associations may not be in money.
Financing of political entity by a natural or legal person engaged in activities of general interest pursuant to contract with organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local self- government units and public services founded by them is prohibited throughout the validity of such contract and for a period of two years subsequent to termination of contractual relations.
Acquisition of shares or stock in a legal person by a political entity is prohibited. Financing of a political entity by an endowment or foundation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 12  Law on financing political activities, 2022.

13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
Code
Yes
Comment

Political entities are prohibited from using, for the conduct of activities within the election campaign, funds from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, the budget of the autonomous province and the budget of the local self-government unit, which candidates in elections and on electoral lists have at their disposal as public officials, civil servants, officers in autonomous province and local self-government, or as directly elected persons, for the purposes of performing their official duties. 

Source

"Election campaign expenditure are costs related to all activities regarded election activities in terms of the fifth indent of article 2 hereof.
Political entities are prohibited from using, for the conduct of activities within the election campaign, funds from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, the budget of the autonomous province and the budget of the local self-government unit, which candidates in elections and on electoral lists have at their disposal as public officials, civil servants, officers in autonomous province and local self-government, or as directly elected persons, for the purposes of performing their official duties.


Political entities are prohibited from financing humanitarian activities for the conduct of activities within the election campaign.
Political entities are prohibited from using other public resources during the election campaign, except for public services and goods allocated in accordance with article 6, paragraph 2 hereof, including official premises, vehicles, websites and office furniture, equipment and supplies of state, provincial and local authorities, public institutions and public enterprises, excluding public officials who use public resources for the protection of personal safety, if such use of public resources is stipulated by regulations in this area or by a decision of the services that take care of the safety of officials.


A political entity may use the premises and services of bodies and organizations referred to in article 6, paragraph 1 hereof for the election campaign, if those premises and services are available under equal conditions to all political entities, based on publicly available decisions of those bodies and organizations, and provided that those bodies and organizations can ensure the use of premises and services during the election campaign to every political entity that has timely expressed interest in their use.
Funds raised from public and private sources, credits and loans for financing election campaign expenditure may be used only for activities specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
Rules and regulations governing action of media during election campaigns shall apply to each time slot purchase in the media.
Political entities which distribute advertising material/brochures/leaflets/publications are required to imprint on such material precise data on the name of the entity that provides services of advertising material/brochures/leaflets/publications production.
The advertisement and any other type of advertising material used in the election campaign must contain the identification of the political entity participating in the election campaign." 
Source: Article 23 Law on financing political activities 2022.

14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Source

"Maximum value of donation at annual level that a natural person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed ten average monthly salaries. Maximum value of donation at annual level that a legal person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed 30 average monthly salaries. Donations exceeding at annual level one average monthly salary are published. A political entity is required to publish each donation referred in paragraph 3 of this article on its website within eight days from the date the value of donation has exceeded the amount of one monthly average salary." 
Source: Article 10. law on financing political activities.

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?
Code
Other (explain in comments in local currency)
Comment

10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, per year.

To illustrate this better: in July 2023 (last statistical data available), the average monthly salary was 83.781 RSD (~ 710 EUR) – so the limit for natural persons would be 7100 EUR annually, and for legal persons 21.300 EUR annually for regular finances.

Additional remarks: Maximum amounts are the same for election campaign support – in a year of elections, a natural person can donate twice the maximum – one to regular finance of parties activities, and another to campaign of certain candidate/party list. The law frames these ceilings to calendar year only, regardless of how many elections are held. 

Source

"Maximum value of donation at annual level that a natural person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed ten average monthly salaries. Maximum value of donation at annual level that a legal person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed 30 average monthly salaries. Donations exceeding at annual level one average monthly salary are published. A political entity is required to publish each donation referred in paragraph 3 of this article on its website within eight days from the date the value of donation has exceeded the amount of one monthly average salary." 
Source: Article 10. law on financing political activities.

16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Comment

10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, per year.

To illustrate this better: in July 2023 (last statistical data available), the average monthly salary was 83.781 RSD (~ 710 EUR) – so the limit for natural persons would be 7100 EUR annually, and for legal persons 21.300 EUR annually for regular finances.

Additional remarks: Maximum amounts are the same for election campaign support – in a year of elections, a natural person can donate twice the maximum – one to regular finance of parties activities, and another to campaign of certain candidate/party list. The law frames these ceilings to calendar year only, regardless of how many elections are held.

Source

A political entity may raise funds from private sources for election campaign expenditure. Natural and legal persons may give donations in a single calendar year in which elections are held, in addition to donations for regular work, also for election campaign expenditure up to maximum stipulated amount at annual level specified in article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year. For financing election campaign expenditure a political entity may also use funds from credits and loans." 
Source; Article 22. Law on financing political activities.

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
Other (explain in comments in local currency)
Comment

10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year.

Source

"Maximum value of donation at annual level that a natural person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed ten average monthly salaries. Maximum value of donation at annual level that a legal person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed 30 average monthly salaries. Donations exceeding at annual level one average monthly salary are published. A political entity is required to publish each donation referred in paragraph 3 of this article on its website within eight days from the date the value of donation has exceeded the amount of one monthly average salary." 
"A political entity may raise funds from private sources for election campaign expenditure. Natural and legal persons may give donations in a single calendar year in which elections are held, in addition to donations for regular work, also for election campaign expenditure up to maximum stipulated amount at annual level specified in article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year. For financing election campaign expenditure a political entity may also use funds from credits and loans." 
Source: Articles 10. and 22. Law on financing political activities.

18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Comment

10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year.

Source

A political entity may raise funds from private sources for election campaign expenditure. Natural and legal persons may give donations in a single calendar year in which elections are held, in addition to donations for regular work, also for election campaign expenditure up to maximum stipulated amount at annual level specified in article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year. For financing election campaign expenditure a political entity may also use funds from credits and loans." 
Source; Article 22. Law on financing political activities.

19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?
Code
Other (explain in comments in local currency)
Comment

10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year.

Source

"Maximum value of donation at annual level that a natural person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed ten average monthly salaries. Maximum value of donation at annual level that a legal person may give to political entities for regular work shall not exceed 30 average monthly salaries. Donations exceeding at annual level one average monthly salary are published. A political entity is required to publish each donation referred in paragraph 3 of this article on its website within eight days from the date the value of donation has exceeded the amount of one monthly average salary." 
"A political entity may raise funds from private sources for election campaign expenditure. Natural and legal persons may give donations in a single calendar year in which elections are held, in addition to donations for regular work, also for election campaign expenditure up to maximum stipulated amount at annual level specified in article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year. For financing election campaign expenditure a political entity may also use funds from credits and loans." 
Source: Articles 10. and 22. Law on financing political activities

20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
Code
Yes, donation limit for private persons apply
Comment

It should be noted that for parliamentary elections, candidates cannot donate directly to their campaign. However, when it comes to presidential elections, candidates can contribute to their own campaigns directly.

Source

A political entity may raise funds from private sources for election campaign expenditure. Natural and legal persons may give donations in a single calendar year in which elections are held, in addition to donations for regular work, also for election campaign expenditure up to maximum stipulated amount at annual level specified in article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year. For financing election campaign expenditure a political entity may also use funds from credits and loans." 
Source; Article 22. Law on financing political activities.

21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

The value of the in-kind donations is calculated together with the other types of donations. All donations are calculated towards one amount and one limit - 10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year.

Source

"A donation is a pecuniary amount, other than membership dues, that a natural or legal person voluntarily give to a political entity, a gift, as well as services provided without compensation or under conditions deviating from market conditions.
A donation is also credit, loan and other services provided by a bank or other financial organizations in the Republic of Serbia given under conditions deviating from market conditions, as well as write-off of debt.
A donor engaged in commercial activity is required when giving a donation and not later than the following day to forward to the political entity a personal statement or attestation from the relevant authority that it has settled all obligations relative to public revenues, as well as a statement that it is not engaged in or has been engaged over the past two years in contracted activities of general interest. A legal person, as donor, is required to also submit data on its ownership structure. 
A donor is required to forward a statement that it has not exceeded the donation ceiling specified in article 10 paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof not later than three days from the date of giving of donation.
Legal and natural persons are required to effect payment of the pecuniary amount specified in paragraph 1 of this Article exclusively from their current accounts.
A political entity is required to accept payment of pecuniary amount specified in paragraph 1 of this article only from the donor’s current account.
A political entity is required to record the donation referred in paragraph 1 of this article.
Exerting any form of pressure, threat, discrimination or any other form of direct or indirect placement in disadvantageous position of a natural or legal person giving a donation to a political entity is prohibited.
Government authorities are required to prevent and punish any violence, violation of rights or threat to a natural or legal person for giving of a donation to a political entity." 
Source: Article 9. Law on financing political activities.

22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

The value of the in-kind donations is calculated together with the other types of donations. All donations are calculated towards one amount and one limit - 10 average monthly salaries for natural persons, 30 average monthly salaries for legal persons, regardless of the number of election campaigns in a calendar year.

Source

"A donation is a pecuniary amount, other than membership dues, that a natural or legal person voluntarily give to a political entity, a gift, as well as services provided without compensation or under conditions deviating from market conditions.
A donation is also credit, loan and other services provided by a bank or other financial organizations in the Republic of Serbia given under conditions deviating from market conditions, as well as write-off of debt.
A donor engaged in commercial activity is required when giving a donation and not later than the following day to forward to the political entity a personal statement or attestation from the relevant authority that it has settled all obligations relative to public revenues, as well as a statement that it is not engaged in or has been engaged over the past two years in contracted activities of general interest. A legal person, as donor, is required to also submit data on its ownership structure. 
A donor is required to forward a statement that it has not exceeded the donation ceiling specified in article 10 paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof not later than three days from the date of giving of donation.
Legal and natural persons are required to effect payment of the pecuniary amount specified in paragraph 1 of this Article exclusively from their current accounts.
A political entity is required to accept payment of pecuniary amount specified in paragraph 1 of this article only from the donor’s current account.
A political entity is required to record the donation referred in paragraph 1 of this article.
Exerting any form of pressure, threat, discrimination or any other form of direct or indirect placement in disadvantageous position of a natural or legal person giving a donation to a political entity is prohibited.
Government authorities are required to prevent and punish any violence, violation of rights or threat to a natural or legal person for giving of a donation to a political entity." 
Source: Article 9. Law on financing political activities.

23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
Code
No
Comment

There are provisions that political parties are allowed to engage in either commercial or business activities.
 

Source

"A political entity may not realize income from promotional, and/or commercial activity." 
Article 14. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

There are however two more articles in same Law on financing political activities regulating this field further. Article 7 says “Private sources of financing political activities comprise membership dues, donations, inheritance, legacy and income from property.” 
Furthermore, article 11 of same law regulates acquisition and income from property of the parties: “Assets of a political party comprise real property and movables. Assets referred in paragraph 1 of this article serve only for political activity and other allowed activities of a political party, in accordance with law. A political party acquires property through purchase, inheritance and legacy. A political party that acquires real property with funds collected from public sources, may use such property exclusively for the implementation of its political activities. Real property referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article may not be alienated by a political entity without compensation or at a price lower than the market price, according to the assessment of the competent tax authority. Income from property is the income realized by a political party from sale of real property and movables, lease of real property in its ownership and interest on deposits with banks and other financial organizations in the Republic of Serbia.
 

24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
Source

"Political entities are financed from public and private sources.
Political entities may borrow exclusively from banks and other financial organization in the Republic of Serbia, supervised by the National Bank of Serbia (hereinafter: credits and loans).
The maximum ceiling for credits and loans that a political entity may take from banks and other financial organizations, on an annual basis, shall be up to 25% of funds provided from public sources for the financing of the regular work or for covering election campaign expenditure of political entities, depending on whether a political entity borrow funds to finance its regular work or to cover election campaign expenditure, with a repayment period of up to three years.
Political entities use funds from sources specified in paragraph 1 and 2 of this article for financing of regular work and election campaign expenditure." 
Source: Article 3. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
Comment

There is no ban.

Source

"Political entities are financed from public and private sources.
Political entities may borrow exclusively from banks and other financial organization in the Republic of Serbia, supervised by the National Bank of Serbia (hereinafter: credits and loans).
The maximum ceiling for credits and loans that a political entity may take from banks and other financial organizations, on an annual basis, shall be up to 25% of funds provided from public sources for the financing of the regular work or for covering election campaign expenditure of political entities, depending on whether a political entity borrow funds to finance its regular work or to cover election campaign expenditure, with a repayment period of up to three years.
Political entities use funds from sources specified in paragraph 1 and 2 of this article for financing of regular work and election campaign expenditure." 
Source: Article 3. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
Code
Sometimes
Comment

A donor engaged in commercial activity is required when donating, and not later than the following day, to forward to the political entity a personal statement or attestation from the relevant authority that it has settled all obligations relative to public revenues. A donor must also forward a statement that they are not engaged nor have been engaged in contracted activities of general interest over the past two years.

Source

"A donation is a pecuniary amount, other than membership dues, that a natural or legal person voluntarily give to a political entity, a gift, as well as services provided without compensation or under conditions deviating from market conditions.
A donation is also credit, loan and other services provided by a bank or other financial organizations in the Republic of Serbia given under conditions deviating from market conditions, as well as write-off of debt.
A donor engaged in commercial activity is required when giving a donation and not later than the following day to forward to the political entity a personal statement or attestation from the relevant authority that it has settled all obligations relative to public revenues, as well as a statement that it is not engaged in or has been engaged over the past two years in contracted activities of general interest. A legal person, as donor, is required to also submit data on its ownership structure. A donor is required to forward a statement that it has not exceeded the donation ceiling specified in article 10 paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof not later than three days from the date of giving of donation.
Legal and natural persons are required to effect payment of the pecuniary amount specified in paragraph 1 of this Article exclusively from their current accounts.
A political entity is required to accept payment of pecuniary amount specified in paragraph 1 of this article only from the donor’s current account.
A political entity is required to record the donation referred in paragraph 1 of this article.
Exerting any form of pressure, threat, discrimination or any other form of direct or indirect placement in disadvantageous position of a natural or legal person giving a donation to a political entity is prohibited.
Government authorities are required to prevent and punish any violence, violation of rights or threat to a natural or legal person for giving of a donation to a political entity." 
Source: Article 9. Law on financing political activities.

27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?
Code
Yes
Comment

There are provisions.

Source

"A political party may have several accounts but only with the same tax identification number, as well as a foreign currency account, through which it transacts all funds earmarked for financing regular work.
Coalition and/or citizens’ group define accounts used for transaction of all funds earmarked for financing regular work by the agreement establishing such political entities." 
"For the purpose of raising funds for election campaign financing a political entity shall open a separate account that may not be used for other purposes. A political entity not having the account specified in paragraph 1 of this article is required to open such account after calling of elections and before proclamation of election list. All funds intended for financing of election campaign are paid into the account specified in paragraph 1 of this article and all payments of election campaign expenditure are made from that account.
A political entity may use funds raised for regular work for election campaign financing with the proviso that such funds are paid into the account specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
Opening of the account referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article for a coalition and/or group of citizens is regulated by the agreement on establishing such political entities." 
Article 18. and 24. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

Question Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?
Code
Yes, both regularly and in relation to campaigns
Comment

There are provisions.

Source

"Funds from public sources appropriated for financing of regular work of political entities whose candidates have been elected members of parliament, deputies and/or councilors are set at the level of 0.105% of tax revenues of the budget of the Republic of Serbia, tax revenues of the budget of the autonomous province and/or tax revenues of the budget of the local self-government unit." 
"Funds from public sources for covering election campaign expenditure are allocated in the year of regular elections in the amount of 0.07% of tax revenues of the budget of the Republic of Serbia, tax revenues of the budget of the autonomous province and/or of tax revenues of the budget of the local self-government unit, for the budget year.
In case of early elections the relevant authorities are required to provide funds specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
In case of temporary financing, the competent authorities shall be required to provide funds from public sources for covering election campaign expenditure in the amount of 0.07% of tax revenues of the budget of the Republic of Serbia, tax revenues of the budget of the autonomous province and/or tax revenues of the budget of the local self-government unit, from the previous fiscal year for which the budget was adopted." 
Articles 16. and 20. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?
Code
  • Participation in election
  • Representation in elected body
  • Share of votes in next election
  • Share of votes in previous election
Comment

"Regular financing: to political entities winning seats in representative bodies, in proportion to obtained votes. In relation to campaigns: 40% of the funds equally to all list submitters, 60% to the election lists proportional to the obtained seats."

Source

Regular financing: 
"Funds specified in article 16 hereof are allocated to political entities winning seats in representative bodies in proportion to the number of votes calculated according to the method defined in paragraph 2 of this article.
The number of votes of a political entity taken as basis for allocation of funds is calculated by multiplying the number of votes up to 3% of valid cast votes of all voters with a quotient of 1.5, and the number of votes over 3% of valid cast votes of all voters with a coefficient of 1.
Funds specified in article 16 hereof granted to a political entity participating in elections as a coalition are divided pursuant to coalition agreement.
The ministry with competence for financial affairs and/or the relevant autonomous province authority, and/or the local self-government authority, transfers the proportionate portion of funds referred to in paragraph 1 of this article to political entities every month, before the 10th of the month for the preceding month." 

Campaign finance:
"Funds specified in article 20 hereof in the amount of 40% are allocated in equal amounts to submitters of proclaimed election lists who at time of submission declared to use the funds from public sources to cover election campaign expenditure. These funds shall be paid within five days from the date of rendering decision proclaiming collective electoral list.
The remaining portion of funds specified in article 20 hereof (60%) is allocated to submitters of winning election lists pro rata to the number of won seats, within five days from the date of rendering general report on election results, regardless of whether the funds from public sources were used to cover election campaign expenditure.
In case of elections held according to majority system, the funds specified in article 20 hereof in the amount of 40% are allocated in equal amounts to nominators of candidates who declared at time of filing of candidacy to use funds from public sources to cover election campaign expenditure. These funds shall be paid to nominators of candidates within five days from the date of rendering decision proclaiming list of candidates, provided that they have given election bond within the deadline set forth under article 25 paragraph 3 hereof.
In case of holding elections referred in paragraph 3 of this article the remaining portion of funds specified in article 20 hereof (60%) is allocated to the nominator of the winning candidate within five days from the date of rendering general report on election results, regardless of whether the funds from public sources were used to cover election campaign expenditure.
In case of runoffs for elections specified in paragraph 3 of this article, the remaining portion of funds specified in article 20 hereof (70%) are allocated to nominators of candidates participating in the second round proportionately to the number of votes they won in the second round, within five days from the date of rendering report on the aggregate results of the second election round, regardless of whether the funds from public sources were used to cover election campaign expenditure.
If the submitters of election lists and/or nominators of candidates declaring to use funds from public sources for covering election campaign expenditure fail to give election bond within the deadline set forth under article 25 paragraph 3 hereof, the portion of funds allocated to such submitters of election lists and/or nominators of candidates is carried over to the remaining funds to the political entity that has given election bond within the deadline set forth under article 25 paragraph 3 hereof.
Specified in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article and is allocated to them in accordance with article 25, paragraph 4 hereof. Funds for election campaign from public sources are allocated by the ministry with competence for financial affairs and/or the relevant authority of autonomous province or local self-government." 
Source: Article 17. and 21. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?
Code
Equal Proportional to votes received Proportional to seats received
Comment

"Regular financing: to political entities winning seats in representative bodies, in proportion to obtained votes.
In relation to campaigns: 40% of the funds equally to all list submitters, 60% to the election lists proportional to the obtained seats."

Source

Regular financing: 
"Funds specified in article 16 hereof are allocated to political entities winning seats in representative bodies in proportion to the number of votes calculated according to the method defined in paragraph 2 of this article.
The number of votes of a political entity taken as basis for allocation of funds is calculated by multiplying the number of votes up to 3% of valid cast votes of all voters with a quotient of 1.5, and the number of votes over 3% of valid cast votes of all voters with a coefficient of 1.
Funds specified in article 16 hereof granted to a political entity participating in elections as a coalition are divided pursuant to coalition agreement.
The ministry with competence for financial affairs and/or the relevant autonomous province authority, and/or the local self-government authority, transfers the proportionate portion of funds referred to in paragraph 1 of this article to political entities every month, before the 10th of the month for the preceding month." 

Campaign finance: 
"Funds specified in article 20 hereof in the amount of 40% are allocated in equal amounts to submitters of proclaimed election lists who at time of submission declared to use the funds from public sources to cover election campaign expenditure. These funds shall be paid within five days from the date of rendering decision proclaiming collective electoral list.
The remaining portion of funds specified in article 20 hereof (60%) is allocated to submitters of winning election lists pro rata to the number of won seats, within five days from the date of rendering general report on election results, regardless of whether the funds from public sources were used to cover election campaign expenditure.
In case of elections held according to majority system, the funds specified in article 20 hereof in the amount of 40% are allocated in equal amounts to nominators of candidates who declared at time of filing of candidacy to use funds from public sources to cover election campaign expenditure. These funds shall be paid to nominators of candidates within five days from the date of rendering decision proclaiming list of candidates, provided that they have given election bond within the deadline set forth under article 25 paragraph 3 hereof.
In case of holding elections referred in paragraph 3 of this article the remaining portion of funds specified in article 20 hereof (60%) is allocated to the nominator of the winning candidate within five days from the date of rendering general report on election results, regardless of whether the funds from public sources were used to cover election campaign expenditure.
In case of runoffs for elections specified in paragraph 3 of this article, the remaining portion of funds specified in article 20 hereof (70%) are allocated to nominators of candidates participating in the second round proportionately to the number of votes they won in the second round, within five days from the date of rendering report on the aggregate results of the second election round, regardless of whether the funds from public sources were used to cover election campaign expenditure.
If the submitters of election lists and/or nominators of candidates declaring to use funds from public sources for covering election campaign expenditure fail to give election bond within the deadline set forth under article 25 paragraph 3 hereof, the portion of funds allocated to such submitters of election lists and/or nominators of candidates is carried over to the remaining funds to the political entity that has given election bond within the deadline set forth under article 25 paragraph 3 hereof.
Specified in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article and is allocated to them in accordance with article 25, paragraph 4 hereof. Funds for election campaign from public sources are allocated by the ministry with competence for financial affairs and/or the relevant authority of autonomous province or local self-government." 
Source: Article 17. and 21. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?
Code
  • Campaign spending
  • Research and policy initiatives
  • Ongoing party activities
Comment

At least 5% of the public funding should be used in professional upgrading and training, acquiring practical skills, international cooperation and work with the membership.

Source

"Funds for financing regular work of political entities are used for functioning and propagation of the idea of a political entity and presume work with the electorate and membership, costs of transportation and holding meetings, promotional costs, costs of advertising material and publications, public opinion polls, training, international cooperation, salaries and emoluments for staff, costs of utilities services and expenses related to other similar activities.
Funds for financing regular work of political entities are also used for financing election campaign expenditure, in accordance with this Law.
A political entity is required to use funds received from public sources in the amount not less than 5% of aggregate funds received for regular work at annual level for professional upgrading and training, acquiring practical skills, international cooperation and work with the membership." 
Source: Article 19. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment

There are provisions.

Source

"(1) The citizens shall have the right to be informed by the mass media about the electoral programs and activities of submitters of the electoral lists, as well as about the candidates on the electoral lists. (2) The mass media shall be obliged to ensure equal accessibility of information about all submitters of the electoral lists, and about all candidates on those electoral lists." 
Source: Article 6. Law on elections of members of parliament, 2022.

33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
Equal
Source

"(1) The citizens shall have the right to be informed by the mass media about the electoral programs and activities of submitters of the electoral lists, as well as about the candidates on the electoral lists. (2) The mass media shall be obliged to ensure equal accessibility of information about all submitters of the electoral lists, and about all candidates on those electoral lists." 
Source: Article 6. Law on elections of members of parliament, 2022.

34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?
Code
Yes
Comment

There are provisions.

Source

"(1) The citizens shall have the right to be informed by the mass media about the electoral programs and activities of submitters of the electoral lists, as well as about the candidates on the electoral lists. (2) The mass media shall be obliged to ensure equal accessibility of information about all submitters of the electoral lists, and about all candidates on those electoral lists." 
Source: Article 6. Law on elections of members of parliament, 2022.

35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?
Code
Yes
Comment

It has not been elaborated in details, therefore, the law tasks state institutions to regulate details.

Source

"Services and goods from public sources are services and goods defined under separate regulations given to political entities by organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local government, as well as by other organizations founded by them. It is obligatory to grant services and goods referred in paragraph 1 of this Article to all political entities under equal terms. Organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local government, as well as other organizations founded by them shall more specifically regulate granting of services and goods referred in paragraph 1 of this Article." 
Source: Article 6 Law on financing political activities, 2022.

36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?
Code
No
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
Comment

This ban, present in the Criminal Code since its publication, has remained valid despite the amendments to the code in 2019.

Source

"(1) Whoever offers, gives, promises reward, gift or other benefit to another in order to vote or not to vote in elections or referendum for or against a particular person or issue, shall be punished with fine or imprisonment up to three years.
(2) The penalty specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be imposed on whoever demands or receives a gift or other benefit to vote or not vote in elections or referendum for or against a particular candidate or issue.
(3) If the offence specified in paragraph 1 of this Article is committed by a member of an electoral board or other person acting in official capacity in respect of voting, such person shall be punished with imprisonment of three months to five years. (4) A gift or other benefit shall be seized." 
Source: Article 156 Criminal Code, 2019.

39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?
Code
No
Comment

There are no provisions.

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
Comment

There are no provisions.

42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?
Code
Yes, third parties banned from campaign spending
Comment

Third parties are banned.

Source

"Exerting any form of pressure on legal entities and natural persons in collecting donations for a political entity is prohibited. Giving promises or inferring any privilege or personal benefit to donor of a political entity is prohibited. Giving a donation to a political entity through a third party is prohibited. Concealing identity of donor or amount of donation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 13. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
Comment

There are no limits.

45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
Comment

There are no limits.

46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?
Code
No
Question Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?
Code
Yes
Source

"A political entity with representatives in representative bodies and registered political parties are required to submit to the Agency an annual report on the financing of the political entity, which shall include information on donations and assets, together with the previously obtained opinion of an auditor certified in accordance with accounting and audit regulations not later than 30 April of the current year for the preceding year.
Registered political parties and citizens’ groups which in the year for which they submit the annual report on the financing have inflows or outflows on their accounts in the amount not exceeding one average monthly salary are exempted from the obligation to submit opinion referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
The annual report on the financing of the political entity shall include information on origin, amount and structure of all raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans.
Political entities referred to in paragraph 1 of this article are required to publish annual reports on the financing of the political entity on their websites within eight days of their submission to the Agency. Annual reports on the financing of the political entity shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from receiving such report duly submitted in the prescribed form.
The director of the Agency shall specify the content and the manner of submission of the annual report on the financing of the political entity." 
Source: Article 28. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
Yes
Source

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results.
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans.
The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting.
The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form. The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign." 
Source: Article 29. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
Yes
Source

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results.
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting. The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form.
The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign." 
Source: Article 29. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
Code
Third parties are banned from participating in campaigns
Source

"Exerting any form of pressure on legal entities and natural persons in collecting donations for a political entity is prohibited. Giving promises or inferring any privilege or personal benefit to donor of a political entity is prohibited. Giving a donation to a political entity through a third party is prohibited. Concealing identity of donor or amount of donation is prohibited." 
Source: Article 13. Law on financing political activities, 2022.

51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?
Code
Yes
Comment

On the website of Agency for Prevention of Corruption.

Source

"A political entity with representatives in representative bodies and registered political parties are required to submit to the Agency an annual report on the financing of the political entity, which shall include information on donations and assets, together with the previously obtained opinion of an auditor certified in accordance with accounting and audit regulations not later than 30 April of the current year for the preceding year.
Registered political parties and citizens’ groups which in the year for which they submit the annual report on the financing have inflows or outflows on their accounts in the amount not exceeding one average monthly salary are exempted from the obligation to submit opinion referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
The annual report on the financing of the political entity shall include information on origin, amount and structure of all raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans.
Political entities referred to in paragraph 1 of this article are required to publish annual reports on the financing of the political entity on their websites within eight days of their submission to the Agency.
Annual reports on the financing of the political entity shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from receiving such report duly submitted in the prescribed form.
The director of the Agency shall specify the content and the manner of submission of the annual report on the financing of the political entity." 

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results.
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting. The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form.
The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign."
Source: Articles 28 and 29 Law on financing political activities, 2022.

52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?
Code
Yes
Comment

The content and manner of submission of the reports are specified by the director of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption.

Source

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results.
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting. The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form.
The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign." 
Source: Article 29. Law on financing political activities.

53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
Code
Yes
Source

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results.
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting. The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form.
The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign." 
Source: Article 29. Law on financing political activities.

54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
Code
Yes
Source

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results. 
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting. The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form.
The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign." 
Source: Article 29. Law on financing political activities.

55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?
Code
Anti-corruption agency
Source

"A political entity with representatives in representative bodies and registered political parties are required to submit to the Agency an annual report on the financing of the political entity, which shall include information on donations and assets, together with the previously obtained opinion of an auditor certified in accordance with accounting and audit regulations not later than 30 April of the current year for the preceding year.
Registered political parties and citizens’ groups which in the year for which they submit the annual report on the financing have inflows or outflows on their accounts in the amount not exceeding one average monthly salary are exempted from the obligation to submit opinion referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
The annual report on the financing of the political entity shall include information on origin, amount and structure of all raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. Political entities referred to in paragraph 1 of this article are required to publish annual reports on the financing of the political entity on their websites within eight days of their submission to the Agency.
Annual reports on the financing of the political entity shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from receiving such report duly submitted in the prescribed form.
The director of the Agency shall specify the content and the manner of submission of the annual report on the financing of the political entity." 

"A political entity participating in the election campaign is required to submit to the Agency a preliminary report on election campaign expenditure five days before the day set for the voting, as well as a final report on election campaign expenditure, which shall be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of aggregate report on election results.
The reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article include information on origin, amount and structure of raised and spent funds from public and private sources, credits and loans. The preliminary report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until 15 days before the day set for the voting. The final report on the election campaign expenditure is compiled for the period from the date of calling of elections until the date of publishing aggregate report on election results.
The preliminary reports on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within three days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form, and the final report on the election campaign expenditure shall be published on the website of the Agency within seven days from the date of receipt of the report duly given in the prescribed form.
The content and manner of submission of the reports referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be specified by the director of the Agency.
Director of the Agency is required to adopt the act referred to in paragraph 6 of this article within the time limit which ensures the act to come into force no later than five days after the day of calling the elections.
The act specified in paragraph 6 of this article may not be amended during the election campaign." 
Source: Articles 28 and 29 Law on financing political activities, 2022.

56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
Code
  • Anti-corruption agency
  • Auditing agency
Comment

State Audit Institution and Agency for Prevention of Corruption.

Source

"The control of political entities’ reports referred to in articles 28 and 29 hereof shall be performed by the Agency according to the plan of controls adopted by the Agency.
The plan of controls of annual reports on the financing of the political entities shall be published on the Agency's website by 15 March of the current year, and the plan of controls of reports on election campaign expenditure shall be published on the Agency's website five days after the date of calling the elections.
The plan of controls may be amended and an amended plan of controls shall be published on the Agency's website within three days from the date of amendments.
The Agency prepares a report on the results of the control of the annual report on the financing of the political entity, which shall be published on the Agency's website by 1 February of the following year.
The Agency prepares a report on the results of the control of the final reports on election campaign expenditure, which also includes the control of preliminary report of the political entity, which shall be published on the Agency's website no later than 120 days from the deadline for submitting the final report on election campaign expenditure"

"The audit program of the State Audit Institution shall each year include an appropriate number of political entities that have representatives in the National Assembly.
In determining the political entities to be covered by the audit program, the State Audit Institution takes into account the amount of funds received by the political entity from public sources and the frequency of previous audits.
The Agency may, after the control of the financial reports of a political entity, forward a request to the State Audit Institution to audit these reports, in accordance with the law governing competencies of the State Audit Institution" 
Source: Articles 33 and 35 Law on financing political activities, 2022.

57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
Code
Impose sanctions Carry out investigation Refer for investigation Request additional information from others Request additional information from potential violator
Source

"Within the purview defined under this Law, the Agency has the right of direct and free access to bookkeeping records and documentation and financial reports of a political entity and to engage relevant experts and institutions. The Agency is also entitled to direct and free access to bookkeeping records and documents of an endowment or foundation founded by a political party.
A political entity is required, upon the request of and within the time frame set by the Agency, which may not exceed 15 days, to submit all documents and information required by the Agency to carry out tasks from its purview set forth under this Law.
In the course of election campaign, a political entity is required upon the request of and within the time frame set by the Agency, which may not exceed three days, to submit information required by the Agency to carry out tasks from its purview set forth under this Law.
Organs of the Republic of Serbia, autonomous province and local government, banks, as well as natural and legal persons which finance political entities, and/or perform on their behalf particular services, are required to forward to the Agency at its request and within the deadline which may not be longer than fifteen days from the date of receiving such request, and which in the course of the election campaign may not be longer than three days, all data required by the Agency to discharge duties from its purview set forth under this Law.
The obligation to provide information specified in paragraph 4 of this article supersedes any other restriction or limitation that may appear in any other regulation." 

"The audit program of the State Audit Institution shall each year include an appropriate number of political entities that have representatives in the National Assembly.
In determining the political entities to be covered by the audit program, the State Audit Institution takes into account the amount of funds received by the political entity from public sources and the frequency of previous audits.
The Agency may, after the control of the financial reports of a political entity, forward a request to the State Audit Institution to audit these reports, in accordance with the law governing competencies of the State Audit Institution" 

"The Agency issues a warning measure to a political entity in case it identifies during control deficiencies that may be remedied.
If the political entity fails to act upon the warning measure before the deadline specified in the Agency’s decision expires, the Agency shall initiate misdemeanor proceedings." 
Source: Articles 32, 35 and 39 of the Law on financing political activities, 2022.

58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?
Code
  • Fines
  • Prison
  • Forfeiture
  • Suspension of public funding
Source

"Whoever gives, and/or provides for and on behalf of the political entity, funds for financing of the political entity contrary to the provisions of this Law with intent to conceal the source of financing or amount of collected funds of the political entity, shall be punished with imprisonment from three months to three years.
If the offence referred to in para 1 involved giving or receiving funds in the amount greater than one million and five hundred thousand dinars, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years.
Whoever commits violence or threatens to commit violence, places in disadvantageous position or denies a right or statutory interest to a natural or legal person because such person gave donation to a political entity, shall be punished by imprisonment of three months to three years.
Funds referred in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall be confiscated." 

"A political party shall be fined from 200,000 to 2,000,000 RSD for a misdemeanor if it:
1) Acts contrary to the provisions of article 3, paragraph 2 and 3 hereof; 2) receives funds contrary to article 8 paragraph 3 hereof;
3) Acts contrary to article 11 hereof;
4) Acquires non-monetary assets contrary to article 12, paragraph 1 and 3 hereof;
5) Acts contrary to prohibition specified in article 12 paragraph 4 hereof;
6) Acts contrary to prohibition specified in article 13 hereof;
7) Acquires income contrary to article 14 hereof;
8) Fails to return funds in accordance with article 15 hereof;
9) Uses funds contrary to articles 19 and 23, and article 24 paragraphs 3 and 4 hereof;
10) Acts contrary to the provisions of article 23 paragraph 8 and 9 hereof;
11) Fails to open a separate account for financing of election campaigns pursuant to article 24 hereof;
12) Fails to keep records pursuant to article 27 hereof; 13) fails to comply with article 28 paragraph 1 hereof;
14) Fails to submit preliminary report on election campaign expenditure pursuant to article 29 hereof;
15) Fails to submit final report on election campaign expenditure pursuant to article 29 hereof;
16) Acts contrary to article 30 hereof;
17) Fails to provide access to the Agency pursuant to article 32 paragraph 1 hereof;
18) Fails to submit to the Agency documents, information and data pursuant to article 32 paragraph 2 and 3 hereof;
19) Fails to act in accordance to the pronounced warning measure (article 37 paragraph 2).
The responsible person of a political party or other political entity shall also be fined from 50,000 to 150,000 RSD for offences specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
Funds obtained through commission of misdemeanours specified in paragraph 1 items 2) through 9), and 16) of this article shall be confiscated.
The responsible person of a political party or other political entity shall also be fined from 50,000 to 150,000 RSD for offences specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
Funds obtained through commission of misdemeanors specified in paragraph 1 items 2) through 9), and 16) of this article shall be confiscated." 

"A legal person shall be fined with 200,000 to 2,000,000 RSD if it:
1) Gives a donation to a political entity contrary to Art. 9 and 10, and Article 12, paragraph 1, 3 and 5, and Aticle 22, paragraph 2 hereof;
2) Fails to ensure access to the Agency in accordance with article 32 paragraph 1 hereof; 
3) Fails to submit data to the Agency pursuant to article 32 paragraph 4 hereof.
The responsible person of a legal person shall also be fined with 50,000 to 150,000 RSD for misdemeanor specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
An entrepreneur shall be fined with 100,000 to 500,000 RSD for misdemeanor specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
A natural person shall be fined with 50,000 to 150,000 RSD for misdemeanor specified in paragraph 1 of this article.
Funds obtained through commission of misdemeanor specified in paragraph 1 item 1) of this article shall be confiscated." 

"In case of conviction for a criminal offence specified in article 40 hereof or if a political party or responsible person of a political entity is fined for misdemeanor specified in Art. 41 and 42 hereof, the political entity shall lose the right to funds from public sources allocated for financing of the political entity in the amount set forth pursuant to paragraphs 2 through 4 of this article.
The amount of funds referred in paragraph 1 of this article may not be less than the amount of funds acquired through commission of a criminal offence or misdemeanor, up to a maximum of 100% of the amount of funds from public sources allocated for financing of regular work of the political entity for the coming calendar year.
If the amount of funds acquired through commission of a criminal offence and/or misdemeanor is less than 10% of the funds from public sources earmarked for financing of regular work of the political entity for the coming calendar year, the amount of funds specified in paragraph 1 of this article may not be less than 10% of the funds from public sources allocated for financing of regular work of the political entity for the coming calendar year.
The amount of funds referred in paragraph 1 of this article is determined pro rata to pronounced punishment for criminal offence or misdemeanor, pursuant to rules set forth in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article.
The decision on loss of rights to public funds allocated for financing of regular work of a political entity for the following calendar year wherein the amount thereof is also defined, is issued by the Agency and may be appealed through administrative dispute.
The Agency shall publish decisions referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article on its website." 
Source: Articles 40, 41, 42, 43, 45 of the Law on financing political activities, 2022.

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