The new rules for European political parties and foundations will boost transparency, cut red tape, and equip them to fight foreign interference more effectively This way, they can keep contributing “to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union” while operating in an increasingly complex landscape.

Preventing foreign interference and promoting transparency

According to the agreed text, associated member parties and foundations from neighbouring or candidate countries will continue to participate in the work of their pan-European umbrella organisations, as this cooperation is key in promoting European values and maintaining cross-border dialogue. However, their votes can never be used to secure a majority and they cannot pay membership fees.

To increase transparency, co-legislators agreed on a simplified due-diligence mechanism that obliges parties to collect full ID data for donors above €3 000. A common online repository…