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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung

@edcstiftung.eu
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EDCS is a non-profit foundation dedicated to strengthening European representative democracy. 🇪🇺 edcstiftung.eu

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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 28/09/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? Three things today! 1/ Many outlets reported on @progressiefned.bsky.social members' decision to join the @pes.eu over the @europeangreens.eu (65% in favour), and pointed out the consequences on the PES' European public funding (e.g. @politico.eu article below). 1/4
What's new for #europeanparties? Three things on the agenda today! 1/ Many outlets reported on Progressief Nederland members' decision to join the Party of European Socialists (PES) over the European Greens (65% in favour), and pointed out the consequences on the PES' European public funding (for instance, see POLITICO Europe article below). 

⚠️ What they failed to highlight is that this vote does not grant automatic PES membership. According to the party's statutes, applications are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Presidency and decided by the Congress; in between congresses, the Presidency may grant "provisional membership". 

⏩ The reason this matters is because applications for European public funding are due by 30 September (in 2 days), and it is unclear whether this provisional membership will be counted as the required "full membership". 

💶 With each MEP bringing in over €62k in public funding in 2026, PRO's 8 MEPs could be worth half a million euros.

❌ Unfortunately, since applications for funding and decisions are not made public, we won't know until early 2027 at least. #transparency What's new for #europeanparties? Three things on the agenda today! 1/ Many outlets reported on Progressief Nederland members' decision to join the Party of European Socialists (PES) over the European Greens (65% in favour), and pointed out the consequences on the PES' European public funding (for instance, see POLITICO Europe article below). 

⚠️ What they failed to highlight is that this vote does not grant automatic PES membership. According to the party's statutes, applications are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Presidency and decided by the Congress; in between congresses, the Presidency may grant "provisional membership". 

⏩ The reason this matters is because applications for European public funding are due by 30 September (in 2 days), and it is unclear whether this provisional membership will be counted as the required "full membership". 

💶 With each MEP bringing in over €62k in public funding in 2026, PRO's 8 MEPs could be worth half a million euros.

❌ Unfortunately, since applications for funding and decisions are not made public, we won't know until early 2027 at least. #transparency
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 28/09/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? 2/ @politico.eu reports that the @eppofficial.bsky.social will be opening its individual membership for €20. Until now, individual membership was reserved for members of national member parties. Individual membership currently does not grant voting rights,... 1/3
What's new for #europeanparties? 2/ POLITICO Europe reports that the European People's Party will be opening its individual membership for €20. Until now, individual membership was reserved for members of national member parties. Individual membership currently does not grant voting rights, and it is unclear whether this will change.
📉 Individual membership is rarely a thing for #europeanparties. For instance, the EPP had only 23 individual members by the end of 2025, despite having 184 MEPs and received over 38 million votes in the 2024 European elections. 
✅ Done well, individual membership could help diversify the private funding of European parties and strengthen ties with European citizens, but this would require giving members something for their money, such as voting rights in party decisions.What's new for #europeanparties? 2/ POLITICO Europe reports that the European People's Party will be opening its individual membership for €20. Until now, individual membership was reserved for members of national member parties. Individual membership currently does not grant voting rights, and it is unclear whether this will change.
📉 Individual membership is rarely a thing for #europeanparties. For instance, the EPP had only 23 individual members by the end of 2025, despite having 184 MEPs and received over 38 million votes in the 2024 European elections. 
✅ Done well, individual membership could help diversify the private funding of European parties and strengthen ties with European citizens, but this would require giving members something for their money, such as voting rights in party decisions.What's new for #europeanparties? 2/ POLITICO Europe reports that the European People's Party will be opening its individual membership for €20. Until now, individual membership was reserved for members of national member parties. Individual membership currently does not grant voting rights, and it is unclear whether this will change.
📉 Individual membership is rarely a thing for #europeanparties. For instance, the EPP had only 23 individual members by the end of 2025, despite having 184 MEPs and received over 38 million votes in the 2024 European elections. 
✅ Done well, individual membership could help diversify the private funding of European parties and strengthen ties with European citizens, but this would require giving members something for their money, such as voting rights in party decisions.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 16/09/2026
For years, the @edcstiftung.eu has pushed EU institutions to survey citizens' "knowledge and recall" of #europeanparties -- to no avail thus far. This is not that, but 20% of French citizens not knowing who @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu is after 7 years... 1/2 www.politico.eu/article/ursu...
politico.eu
Ursula von der Who? Polling shows many EU citizens don’t know who Commission president is
Some 45% of respondents to a POLITICO poll in Germany said von der Leyen was doing a bad job.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 09/09/2026
As local and national elections have a growing impact on European politics, citizens need information on their common #europeanparties. This is what the EPFO delivers, and we need your support to move forward! 💪🇪🇺 #democracy #eudemocracy www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 01/09/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? A new Director for the APPF! As of today, Philippe Musquar replaces Pascal Schonard as the head of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations. Here is wishing him all the best for this great adventure. 1/8
What's new for #europeanparties? A new Director for the APPF! As of today, Philippe Musquar replaces Pascal Schonard as the head of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations. Here is wishing him all the best for this great adventure.

The job comes with a unique complexity. On the one hand, the Treaty on European Union sets an ambitious goal for European parties, which should "contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union." On the other, Regulation 2025/2445 (the legal framework for European parties and foundations) severely restricts what European parties can do, and only provides limited tools to achieve parties' treaty-mandated role.

Think of it as a Formula 1 Team Principal tasked with building the best racing car to win the championship, and then told they have to use the engine of a 2CV. A good Team Principal will work hard to reconcile those two imperatives, and make the most of a hard situation. But the right Team Principal will work even harder to point out the discrepancy, have it resolved, and thus win the championship.

The current Regulation is what's in place and a slight improvement on its predecessor; but it is also far from adequate to achieve a party system that actively engages and represents citizens at the European level in a true European representative democracy, which is what the TEU aims for. And while the job description of the Director is limited to the role ascribed to the APPF -- to register, control and impose sanctions in line with the Regulation --, the Director is also uniquely positioned to actively drive the improvement of the Regulation by advising European institutions based on best practices.

This is the real challenge behind the position of Director of the APPF: mastering the legal limits within which to operate, finding sources of flexibility therein, while defining a vision of what the European party system should be and what suit…
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/08/2026
Back at work but most people are still away and you don't know how to help make a difference? Help us with a donation or by spreading the word! In the fight for democracy, every effort counts. 🇪🇺 www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 04/08/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? In view of recent events, we decided on an early release for the latest edition of our Party Time 🎉 newsletter, initially planned for late August. On the menu, an early guide of the APPF's Committee of Independent Eminent Persons! 👇 edcstiftung.eu/post/committ...
edcstiftung.eu
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 03/08/2026
@politico.eu echoes criticism by the @ombudsman.europa.eu of the EU’s access-to-documents rules and shortcomings. 👉 On 10 March, we placed a request for document, due within 15 working days, with possibility of extension to another 15 working days. It has now been 98 working days. #europeanparties
@politico.eu echoes criticism by the @ombudsman.europa.eu of the EU’s access-to-documents rules and shortcomings.
👉 On 10 March, we placed a request for document, due within 15 working days, with possibility of extension to another 15 working days. It has now been 98 working days.
#europeanparties
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 30/07/2026
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 27/07/2026
And finally, here is @eudemocracy.eu's latest post, expanding on last week's thread regarding the APPF's use of social media over the past four years. TL:DR 👉 failing to increase citizens' knowledge of #europeanparties is likely to strengthen the far-right. edcstiftung.eu/post/appf-so...
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | APPF social media activity: on the way out?
The Authority for European political parties and foundations is communicating less and less on social media; here is why we should care.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 28/07/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? A dedicated newsletter! @eudemocracy.eu is launching Party time 🎉, the first newsletter focusing on European parties. Subscribe today! 🇪🇺👇 edcstiftung.eu/newsletter
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Subscribe to Party time
Party time is the European Democracy Consulting Stiftung's newsletter on European political parties. Subscribe to receive our newsletter.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 23/07/2026
🤔 Anyone else under the impression that the #APPF's twitter account was the project of an intern that lost steam once the intern left? 👇 Below the APPF's 123 posts (incl. quote posts & reposts) between Sept. 2022 and July 2026. 1/11
🤔 Anyone else under the impression that the #APPF's twitter account was the project of an intern that lost steam once the intern left?

👇 Below the APPF's 123 posts (incl. quote posts & reposts) between Sept. 2022 and July 2026.


This somewhat silly chart links to a broader issue: European citizens are, by and large, oblivious to the programmes, names, and even existence of their common #europeanparties. 


How do we know this? That's the tricky part. Empirical evidence mostly comes from the blank stare on people's faces when you tell about European political parties (no, not political groups in the Parliament). This fact is also stated time and again in the literature on European parties.


Unfortunately, actual surveys are difficult to come by, if not entirely inexistent. So we must rely instead on indirect and less precise hints:

- European parties are hardly mentioned by national parties during European elections;

- European parties' logos are hardly visible on national parties' websites, as shown by our Logos project in 2021, despite this being a requirement under EU law;

- political groups remain, by far, the frame of reference for EU politics in the media and for electoral analysis; and

- individual membership of European parties remains depressingly low -- with the EPP and PES, the EU's two largest parties, having respectively 23 and 6 individual members by end 2025 (for over 450m citizens).


For several years, we have tried to convince the European Commission and European Parliament to include questions assessing citizens' "awareness and recall" of European parties in their respective Eurobarometers. The idea being to generate a periodic snapshot of citizens' familiarity, not with a party in particular, but with European parties in general. Our proposal was met with genuine interest, and never acted upon.


We also called on European institutions to endow the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (the European p…
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 16/07/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? According to @politico.eu, Philippe Musquar is to be the new Director of the Authority for European parties & foundations (#APPF) as of Sept. Something to look forward to! And congratulation to Pascal Schonard for his tenure and the work and progress made therein.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 14/07/2026
Indeed, the EPFO has a lot more in store! If you care about European democracy, support us and share our fundraising page on BetterPlace.org. 👇🇪🇺 www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 07/07/2026
🎉 The European Parliament decided to ask the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (APPF) to open an investigation on whether ESN Party properly ensured that its member parties complied with EU values. As the first such vote, this is an important step for.. 1/5
🎉 The European Parliament decided to ask the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (APPF) to open an investigation on whether ESN Party properly ensured that its member parties complied with EU values. As the first such vote, this is an important step for the enforceability of this verification process and a confirmation that facts found by the APPF can legitimately give rise to a formal investigation.
❔ *What's next?* The APPF will now "inform [ESN] without undue delay, invite it to submit its observations and give it the opportunity to introduce measures to remedy the situation within one month", after which the APPF will "submit the observations made by [ESN] and, where applicable, the [corrective measures taken] to the committee of independent eminent persons" for its opinion to be given within two months. Then the APPF will decide whether to de-register ESN, a decision the Parliament and Council can veto.
⚠️ The European Commission still hasn't appointed its members on the committee of independent eminent persons.
❔ Not that this changes anything, but it remains to be seen whether the Commission and/or Council will likewise ask the APPF to open the verification procedure, or whether their decision-making process will stop.
👉 For more details: https://edcstiftung.eu/post/compliance-eu-values-esn
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 08/07/2026
What's new for #europeanparties? Not much. You'd think the opening of the first verification procedure against an EU party --framed as "ban the AfD" or "silencing opposition to immigration"-- would trigger strong reactions. Barely a press release by ESN Group, unavailable on their website. So quiet.
What's new for #europeanparties? Surprisingly, not much. You'd think the opening of the first-ever verification procedure against a European political party -- framed online as "ban the AfD" or "silencing opposition to mass immigration" -- would trigger some strong reactions. Barely a press release by ESN Group, unavailable on their website. Also next to nothing in the EU morning press. Such a quiet morning.What's new for #europeanparties? Surprisingly, not much. You'd think the opening of the first-ever verification procedure against a European political party -- framed online as "ban the AfD" or "silencing opposition to mass immigration" -- would trigger some strong reactions. Barely a press release by ESN Group, unavailable on their website. Also next to nothing in the EU morning press. Such a quiet morning.What's new for #europeanparties? Surprisingly, not much. You'd think the opening of the first-ever verification procedure against a European political party -- framed online as "ban the AfD" or "silencing opposition to mass immigration" -- would trigger some strong reactions. Barely a press release by ESN Group, unavailable on their website. Also next to nothing in the EU morning press. Such a quiet morning.What's new for #europeanparties? Surprisingly, not much. You'd think the opening of the first-ever verification procedure against a European political party -- framed online as "ban the AfD" or "silencing opposition to mass immigration" -- would trigger some strong reactions. Barely a press release by ESN Group, unavailable on their website. Also next to nothing in the EU morning press. Such a quiet morning.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 07/07/2026
Very strong majority in favour of opening an investigation on ESN Party. An important precedent and interesting process to watch out for. Whatever the outcome, this is democracy giving itself the tools to defend its values. For more 👉 edcstiftung.eu/post/complia...
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Compliance with EU values: trial run with ESN?
The Europe of Sovereign Nations party risks being banned for failing to uphold EU values, a bombshell development in the usually quiet world of European parties.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 06/07/2026
⚠️ Tomorrow, the European Parliament will vote on whether or not to request the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (APPF) to open a verification procedure against Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN). 1/9 Letter sent by APPF to the Council, via @politico.eu 👇
⚠️ Tomorrow, the European Parliament will vote on whether or not to request the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (APPF) to open a verification procedure against Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN Party).

Letter sent by APPF to the Council, via @politico.eu 👇⚠️ Tomorrow, the European Parliament will vote on whether or not to request the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (APPF) to open a verification procedure against Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN Party).

Letter sent by APPF to the Council, via @politico.eu 👇
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 02/07/2026
The procedure allows ESN to offer remedial measures, which could address the underlying lack of respect for EU values without deregistration. Refusing to open this procedure would severely curtail future fact-gathering work by the APPF, and therefore weaken the protection of European democracy. 🇪🇺
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 02/07/2026
✅ The European Parliament should vote to allow the APPF to open a verification procedure. This vote is not a political decision to de-register ESN, but only a recognition that the facts gathered by the APPF are valid and justify opening a verification procedure.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 26/06/2026
❌ As a heat wave crushes Europe, the EU is working hard to undo its green regulations addressing the climate emergency. ❔ Do you feel properly represented in these decisions? ✅ We need strong #europeanparties that citizens directly vote for! ⏩ It starts here ⏬ www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 21/05/2026
The legal framework on #europeanparties and foundation now asks for data to be reported and published in open, machine-readable format. ⁉️ How does one do this? ✅ We just published guidance to help implement this! #transparency #opendata edcstiftung.eu/post/machine...
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Machine-readable data 101: guidance on European parties and foundations
Data on European parties and foundations must now be published in open, machine-readable format. EDCS offers a comprehensive guide to navigate its implementation.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 21/04/2026
The @europarl.europa.eu is discussing the EU law on #europeanparties. This is a chance to increase #transparency and thereby strengthen democracy. In the meantime, we've got you covered -- but we need your support 👇 www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
042
European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 13/05/2026
Meanwhile, the @eppgroup.bsky.social continues to hoard the europeanparties.eu domain, even though it is a parliamentary group and not a European political party, for a supposed project that never materialises. Note: we are still interested! #europeanparties
europeanparties.eu
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 06/05/2026
⁉️ What are budgets good for when they consistently misrepresent real life? Year after year, the Patriots have submitted budgets to EU institutions that never remotely materialised, but just happened to match their maximum entitlement of European public funding. Read on 👇 #europeanparties 1/8
⁉️ What are budgets good for when they consistently misrepresent real life?
Year after year, the Patriots have submitted budgets to EU institutions that never remotely materialised, but just happened to match their maximum entitlement of European public funding. 
Read on 👇
#europeanparties⁉️ What are budgets good for when they consistently misrepresent real life?
Year after year, the Patriots have submitted budgets to EU institutions that never remotely materialised, but just happened to match their maximum entitlement of European public funding. 
Read on 👇
#europeanparties⁉️ What are budgets good for when they consistently misrepresent real life?
Year after year, the Patriots have submitted budgets to EU institutions that never remotely materialised, but just happened to match their maximum entitlement of European public funding. 
Read on 👇
#europeanparties⁉️ What are budgets good for when they consistently misrepresent real life?
Year after year, the Patriots have submitted budgets to EU institutions that never remotely materialised, but just happened to match their maximum entitlement of European public funding. 
Read on 👇
#europeanparties
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 06/05/2026
Great to see the media keeping an eye on the use of citizens' money. But, for this to properly work, we need more #transparency, as @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu argues in @maxgriera.bsky.social's piece for @politico.eu. Following yesterday's #AFCO vote, the ball is in the @ec.europa.eu's court!
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 04/05/2026
Some clear problems have easy solutions, but it does not make them the right solution. #europeanparties have been struggling to raise private donations for two decades. But allowing wealthy donors to give more is not the right solution, and it comes with clear risks. 👉 edcstiftung.eu/post/donatio...
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Increasing the donations cap: a counterproductive reform
At best, the proposed cap increase for European parties and foundations will not diversify private income; at worst, it risks undue influence and threatens pluralism.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 04/05/2026
And, for a more detailed analysis of the proposal, read @eudemocracy.eu's post 👇 edcstiftung.eu/post/donatio...
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Increasing the donations cap: a counterproductive reform
At best, the proposed cap increase for European parties and foundations will not diversify private income; at worst, it risks undue influence and threatens pluralism.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 30/04/2026
Some reform proposals seem innocuous, or even sensible. But, upon closer inspection, they reveal themselves as the wrong solution to the right problem. Cue the proposed increase in donation caps for #europeanparties and foundations 👇 edcstiftung.eu/post/donatio...
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Increasing the donations cap: a counterproductive reform
At best, the proposed cap increase for European parties and foundations will not diversify private income; at worst, it risks undue influence and threatens pluralism.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 29/04/2026
Yet another example of the consequences of a lack of #transparency on the funding and spending of #europeanparties. The time for reform is now!
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 28/04/2026
#europeanparties and foundations are paid with European taxpayers' money. Delayed #transparency is no transparency at all.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 28/04/2026
On 9/03, the Bureau of the EP reviewed a report of the Secretary-General on the funding of #europeanparties for 2024. The next day, we requested it. After 3 weeks, when the time limit for a reply hit, we were told to wait. Another 3 weeks later, past the next limit, still nothing. #transparency
On 9/03, the Bureau of the EP reviewed a report of the Secretary-General on the funding of #europeanparties for 2024. The next day, we requested it. After 3 weeks, when the time limit for a reply hit, we were told to wait. Another 3 weeks later, past the next limit, still nothing. #transparency
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 21/04/2026
The @europarl.europa.eu is discussing the EU law on #europeanparties. This is a chance to increase #transparency and thereby strengthen democracy. In the meantime, we've got you covered -- but we need your support 👇 www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
042
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 08/04/2026
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 08/04/2026
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 08/04/2026
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 26/02/2026
Our ITEF proposals were made possible by our long-standing work on the European Party Funding Observatory. 🇪🇺 The EPFO has a lot more to offer, and we need your support to make this a reality. If you care for #democracy, we are counting on you! #europeanparties www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
022
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 16/03/2026
In 2021, I warned that the continued decrease in #europeanparties' co-financing rate was a slippery slope. Back then, the argument was that funding was difficult so the 10% rate should be aligned with foundations' 5%. Now the EP is proposing a 0% rate for foundations -- no need for private funding.
In 2021, I warned that the continued decrease in #europeanparties' co-financing rate was a slippery slope. Back then, the argument was that funding was difficult so the 10% rate should be aligned with foundations' 5%. Now the EP is proposing a 0% rate for foundations -- no need for private funding.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 06/03/2026
🚨 Question for EU law experts around here: when EU law requests the publication of information by Parliament or an EU agency, does it implicitly forbid the publication of supplementary/contextual information? Extra: when an EU body mentions the "data minimisation principle", what is the legal basis?
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 26/02/2026
For the past 7 years or so, I have been saying that the absence of engagement of citizens by #europeanparties is preventing the advent of a true European representative democracy and feeding populist narratives of a non-democratic Europe. In 2025, the EPP, a party with 184 MEPs had... 23 members.
For the past 7 years or so, I have been saying that the absence of engagement of citizens by #europeanparties is preventing the advent of a true European representative democracy and feeding populist narratives of a non-democratic Europe.
In 2025, the EPP, a party with 184 MEPs had... 23 members.
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 26/02/2026
✅ It is time to rethink the funding of European parties, and to tie part of this funding to parties' number of individual members and their raising of small donations. #partyfunding #politicalfinance 💶 For more on the reform of #europeanparties' funding (from 2021) 👇 www.oegfe.at/en/policy_br...
oegfe.at
A smarter funding system for European parties
While several reforms are needed to strengthen European parties the reform of the EU’s party funding scheme is paramount. Against this background, the author of this Policy Brief analyses possibilitie...
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Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 25/02/2026
So make sure to check edcstiftung.eu/itef
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Initiative on Transparency for European party Funding
ITEF is a set of policy proposals developed by the European Democracy Consulting Stiftung to improve transparency on the funding of European political parties.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 26/02/2026
Our ITEF proposals were made possible by our long-standing work on the European Party Funding Observatory. 🇪🇺 The EPFO has a lot more to offer, and we need your support to make this a reality. If you care for #democracy, we are counting on you! #europeanparties www.betterplace.org/en/projects/...
betterplace.org
European Party Funding Observatory
European political parties represent us. But what do we know about them? How are they financed? Our observatory provides long-needed transparency on the funding and spending of European parties, inclu...
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Reposted by European Democracy Consulting Stiftung
Louis Drounau @louisdrounau.eudemocracy.eu · 25/02/2026
Representative democracy needs more than just #transparency. But with national governments still opposing a political union, getting citizens to better know the #europeanparties that seek to represent them is a first and essential step. Cue Jean Monnet's "petits pas" method, when nothing else works.
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Reposted by European Democracy Consulting Stiftung
European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/02/2026
The world moves, and we move with it: today, we unveil the new version of our Initiative on Transparency for European party Funding! 🇪🇺 What's that? ITEF is a set of policy proposals to improve #transparency on the funding of #europeanparties. 👇 edcstiftung.eu/itef #transparency #europeanparties
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Initiative on Transparency for European party Funding
ITEF is a set of policy proposals developed by the European Democracy Consulting Stiftung to improve transparency on the funding of European political parties.
133
European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/02/2026
Also: happy to introduce our website's new dark mode, for all your bedtime reading of political reform proposals!
Also: happy to introduce our website's new dark mode, for all your bedtime reading of political reform proposals!
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/02/2026
Overall, ITEF is designed to be a limited-scope, technical proposal focusing on #transparency. It is therefore rather apolitical, which makes it easier to adopt, provided the @ec.europa.eu musters the necessary political will. Here's looking at you, @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social!
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/02/2026
What do we propose, you ask? - clear deadlines; - more clarity & disclosure on donations; - the publication of more documents; and - real #transparency and visibility of published information. In particular, we call on the EU to set up a reporting & disclosure system, which would be a game-changer.
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/02/2026
Why a new version? In late December, the EU adopted a new legal framework on #europeanparties. Unfortunately, this Regulation did not much to improve provisions relating to #transparency. Our ITEF proposal is therefore more relevant than ever, but was in need of an update. bsky.app/profile/loui...
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European Democracy Consulting Stiftung @edcstiftung.eu · 25/02/2026
The world moves, and we move with it: today, we unveil the new version of our Initiative on Transparency for European party Funding! 🇪🇺 What's that? ITEF is a set of policy proposals to improve #transparency on the funding of #europeanparties. 👇 edcstiftung.eu/itef #transparency #europeanparties
edcstiftung.eu
EDCS | Initiative on Transparency for European party Funding
ITEF is a set of policy proposals developed by the European Democracy Consulting Stiftung to improve transparency on the funding of European political parties.
133