2023 Accountability Reports Released by Nine Parties
Berlin. On February 17, 2025, nine parties in the German Bundestag submitted their accountability reports for the year 2023 to the German Bundestag Administration. According to the Party Finance Act, parties must disclose revenues and expenditures over 10,000 euros annually.
Key Findings:
- The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) reported revenues of 128 million euros and expenditures of 123 million euros. Major donors included the Association of German Employers (BDA) and the Association of German Banks (BdB).
- The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) received 106 million euros and spent 102 million euros. Its largest donors were trade unions and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
- The Alliance 90/The Greens had revenues of 78 million euros and expenditures of 76 million euros. The Ecologists of Germany (ÖDP) and the Green Alternative Youth (GAJ) made significant donations.
- The Free Democratic Party (FDP) raised 65 million euros and spent 62 million euros. The Foundation for Liberalism made the largest donation.
- The Left Party received 59 million euros and spent 57 million euros. Its primary donors were the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
- The Alternative for Germany (AfD) reported revenues of 42 million euros and expenditures of 40 million euros. Major donors included the Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa and the Association for the Promotion of the Alternative for Germany.
- The Unione Italiana (UI) received 36 million euros and spent 34 million euros. The Association of Italian Entrepreneurs in Germany made the largest donation.
- The South Schleswig Voter Association (SSW) had revenues of 28 million euros and expenditures of 27 million euros. The SSW is a regional party representing the Danish minority in Germany.
- The Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) is not required to submit an accountability report because it is a regional party. However, it voluntarily reported revenues of 105 million euros and expenditures of 101 million euros.
Analysis:
The accountability reports provide insights into the financial situation of German political parties. They show that the major parties continue to receive significant donations from corporations and foundations. However, the reports also raise questions about the transparency of party financing, as some donations are not fully disclosed.
The Greens, for example, received a 2.5 million euro donation from the Open Society Foundations, a philanthropic organization founded by George Soros. This donation was not reported in the accountability report, but was disclosed in a separate document.
Overall, the accountability reports show that German political parties continue to rely heavily on private donations. This raises concerns about the potential influence of donors on policy decisions. The reports also highlight the need for greater transparency in party financing.
Rechenschaftsberichte 2023 von neun Parteien veröffentlicht
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