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Political Finance Database

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Estonia

2016

2018

2019

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 Comment Such a ban is not mentioned in the political party or parliamentary election law, nor in GRECO.
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?	Code No Comment Law does not regulate donations from foreign interests to candidates.
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?	Code Yes
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?	Code No Comment Ban applies to corporate donations (partisan candidates) but not for independent candidates.
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?	Code Yes
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 Yes
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?	Code Yes
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?	Code Yes Comment All donations from corporations are banned. Source ? 12(3). Donation (?) (2) A donation that does not comply with the terms and conditions laid down in subsection (1) of this section shall be prohibited. Above all, the following shall be prohibited: (?)2) donations by legal persons; (Source: Political parties Act (1994) As amended in 2013)
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?	Code No Source ? 66. Funds used for election campaign(3) The following are the types of funds received by an independent candidate:1) donations (monetary donations, non-monetary donations and activity support);2) estate;3) loans;4) personal funds. (Source: Riigikogu Election Act, 2002) ? 60. Funds used for election campaign(3) The following are the types of funds received by an election coalition and an independent candidate:(30.07.2002 entered into force 07.08.2002 - RT I 2002, 68, 407)1) donations (monetary donations, non-monetary donations and activity support);2) estate;3) loans;4) personal funds. (Source: Local Government Council Election Act, 2002)
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?	Code Yes Comment All donations from corporations are banned. Source ? 12(3). Donation (?) (2) A donation that does not comply with the terms and conditions laid down in subsection (1) of this section shall be prohibited. Above all, the following shall be prohibited: (?)2) donations by legal persons; (Source: Political parties Act (1994) As amended in 2013)
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?	Code No Source ? 66. Funds used for election campaign(3) The following are the types of funds received by an independent candidate:1) donations (monetary donations, non-monetary donations and activity support);2) estate;3) loans;4) personal funds. (Source: Riigikogu Election Act, 2002) ? 60. Funds used for election campaign(3) The following are the types of funds received by an election coalition and an independent candidate:(30.07.2002 entered into force 07.08.2002 - RT I 2002, 68, 407)1) donations (monetary donations, non-monetary donations and activity support);2) estate;3) loans;4) personal funds. (Source: Local Government Council Election Act, 2002)
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?	Code No data
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 Comment Though MPs must not receive gifts that may 'directly or indirectly influence the impartial performance of his or her duties of employment or service'
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?
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?

Question	Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?	Code Yes, regularly
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Representation in elected body Share of votes in previous election Comment Funds distributed proportionally to the number of seats in parliament, with special provisions for parties that did not succeed in entering the parliament but nonetheless got 1% and 4% of the votes.
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Equal Proportional to votes received Proportional to seats received Comment Equal amount provided to smaller parties, larger parties receive funding proportional to votes and seats won.
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?	Code No
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code No
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 Yes Comment Partial tax relief for political parties and candidates.
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
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?
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?

Question	Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	Code Yes Comment Political parties are required to submit quarterly and annual reports to the PPFSC on income and expenditures.
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code Yes
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code Yes
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	Code Yes Comment Information is published on the website of the Political Party Funding Supervision Committee. Parties are also obliged to publish reports on their websites.
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	Code Yes
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?	Code Special agency for political finance Comment The Political Party Finance Supervision Committee receives quarterly and annual income and expenditures reports.
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?	Code Other Comment Police prefecture.
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?	Code Fines

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