Political Finance Database

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

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
No
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?
Code
No
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?
Code
No
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?
Code
No
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?
Code
No
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
Code
No
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?
Code
No
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
Code
No
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?
Code
No
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?
Code
No
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?
Code
No
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?
Code
No
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
Code
No
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?
Code
No
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
Not applicable
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?
Code
No
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
Not applicable
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?
Code
No
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
Code
No
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
Code
No
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
Code
No
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
Code
No
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
Code
No
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?
Code
No
Question Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?
Code
Yes, regularly
Comment

The 1984 Law on the Payment of Contributions to political parties  allocates a total amount of CHF 710 000, which is to be split between the various parties which a) are represented in parliament or b) have participated in the last elections in the two constituencies and obtained at least 3% of the total number of votes. This amount is distributed among the benefiting parties proportionally to the number of votes and paid in semiannual instalments. In addition, a flat fee of CHF 55 000 is allocated annually to each party represented in the Landtag to help them pursue purposes of political education, public relations and participation in public policy development.

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Articles 1 - 4.

29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?
Code
Share of seats in previous election
Comment

Representation in Parliament or at least three percent of the votes in the previous election. 

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Articles 1 - 4.

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

One fixed sum equal to all parties represented in parliament, one sum proportional to votes gained in the previous election

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Articles 1 - 4.

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

A fee of CHF 55 000 is allocated annually to each party represented in the Landtag to help them pursue purposes of political education, public relations and participation in public policy development.

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Articles 1 - 4.

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

Law on promotion of the media 2006 provides for state support in particular to the printed media; one condition to benefit from it is that there are at least 10 publications per year.

Source

Law on promotion of the media 2006

33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
Not applicable
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?
Code
No
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?
Code
No
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
Source

Penal Code 1988, Section 18.

39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?
Code
No
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
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
No
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
Code
No
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
Comment

The Government, through its Financial Affairs Unit, receives the financial statements in support of the annual request for the payment of the public subsidy to the political parties.  The Government is entitled  to appoint an independent audit firm.

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Article 6.

48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
No
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
No
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
Code
No
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?
Code
Yes
Comment

The annual financial statements have to be published in an appropriate manner.

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Article 6.

52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?
Code
No
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
Code
No
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
Code
No
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?
Code
Other
Comment

The government, which may hire an independent auditing firm for the task. 

Source

Law on the payment of contributions to political parties 1984, Article 6.

56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
Code
No institution specified
Comment

According to Art. 6 in the Act on the Allocation of Contributions to Political Parties, the political parties are the ones responsible for maintaining accurate records of the use of the contributions and keeping the related documents on file. The annual financial statements must be published in a suitable form. However, the Government is authorised to commission an independent auditing company to carry out the audit.

Source

Act on the Allocation of Contributions to Political Parties (1984), Art. 6. 

57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
Code
Not applicable
Comment

According to Art. 6 in the Act on the Allocation of Contributions to Political Parties (1984), the political parties are the ones responsible for maintaining accurate records of the use of the contributions and keeping the related documents on file. The annual financial statements must be published in a suitable form. However, the Government is authorised to commission an independent auditing company to carry out the audit.

Source

Act on the Allocation of Contributions to Political Parties (1984), Art. 6. 

58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?
Code
None
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