Finland Times

 

File Photo Lehtikuva.

The government on May 13 adopted a decision on the allocation of party subsidies for the period of May 1 to December 31, 2015 and conditions on their use and monitoring, said a press release of the Government Communications Department.

 

The subsidies total EUR 21.33 million, including appropriations to the Åland Islands, according to the release issued on May 13.

 

The party subsidies are intended for the parties’ political, information and communications activities. Payment of the subsidies is based on the number of seats won by each party in parliamentary elections.

 

EUR 11,276,666 of the appropriations is allocated for measures to support the parties’ political activities. A total of 10 per cent of the amount must be directed to support women’s political activities and another 10 per cent to district organisations.

 

A further EUR 9,950,000 of the appropriation will be targeted to parties’ communications activities.

 

The appropriation to the political activities and communications in the Åland Islands is EUR 106,667, said the release.

 

Parties (number of seats), and total of appropriations (political, information and communications activities): Centre Party (49), political activities EUR 2,776,666, information and communications EUR 2,450,000; Finns Party (38), political activities EUR 2,153,333, information and communications EUR 1,900,000; National Coalition Party (37), political activities EUR 2,096,667, information and communications EUR 1,850,000; Social Democratic Party (34), political activities EUR 1,926,667, information and communications EUR 1,700,000; Green League of Finland (15), political activities EUR 850,000, information and communications EUR 750,000; Left Alliance (12), political activities EUR 680,000, information and communications EUR 600,000; Swedish People’s Party of Finland (9), political activities EUR 510,000, information and communications EUR 450,000; and Christian Democrats in Finland (5), political activities EUR 283,333, information and communications EUR 250,000. 

 

Party subsidies have been paid since 1967 and their use is monitored by the Ministry of Justice.