Political Parties Raise BGN 2.7 Million in Donations for October 27 Election in Bulgaria

A total of 28 political formations are participating in the upcoming early elections on October 27. Audit Chamber data show that by October 21 supporters and candidates have financed these formations with a total of BGN 2,697,398, said the Institute for Public Environment Development (IPED).

Parties and coalitions can finance their campaigns with their own party funds, candidate funds and donations from individuals. Although the main part of the income of the traditional parties was formed by state subsidy, new formations mainly relied on donations from supporters or candidates, explained IPED.

By October 21, supporters and candidates contributed to the income of their formations with a total of BGN 2,697,398.

A total of 10 formations received donations from individuals, and 11 received funds from  candidates.

MRF-New Beginning received the highest amount of donations, BGN 1,215,000 (45% of all donations), BGN 785,000 from MP candidates and BGN 430,000 from party supporters.

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) received the second highest number of donations (BGN 627,824), followed by There Is Such a People (BNG 419, 770), Vazrazhdane (BGN 140,000), BSP-United Left (BGN 124,660 ), Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (BGN 65,320).

Of these, non-monetary funds were declared by the BSP-United Left in the amount of BGN 5,000 from a MP candidate, and by CC-DB in the amount of BGN 23,690 from candidates and two donations from individuals in the amount at BGN 540 and BGN 260,000.

Donations and funds from candidates have no ceiling, but all sums received by participants must be declared within seven days. They are published in the public register maintained by the Audit Chamber, which contains the complete financial...