MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on funding of political parties and political foundations at European level

12.6.2017 - (2017/2733(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Beatrix von Storch on behalf of the EFDD Group

B8‑0406/2017

European Parliament resolution on funding of political parties and political foundations at European level

(2017/2733(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Article 10 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),

–  having regard to Articles 11 and 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

–  having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations[1],

–  having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the European Union is required to function on the basis of the principle of representative democracy, as stated in Article 10(1) of the TEU;

B.  whereas the TEU contains provisions aimed at reinforcing democracy in its representative and participatory dimensions, i.e. representative democracy and participatory/direct democracy, and that especially ‘political parties at European level contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union’ as stated in Article 10(4) thereof;

C.  whereas Articles 11 and 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union guarantee the freedom of expression and information, and the freedom of assembly and of association;

D.  whereas all European political parties shall contribute to the implementation of the motto of the European Union ‘United in Diversity’, as long as they respect Article 2 of the TEU;

1.  Acknowledges that all European political parties and European political foundations funded under Regulation No 1141/2014 shall contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union, implementing the motto of the European Union ‘United in Diversity’;

2.  Acknowledges that Articles 11 and 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union state that the right to freedom of association at all levels, for example in political and civic matters, and the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers, are fundamental rights of every citizen of the Union;

3.  Acknowledges that a political alliance, as defined in Article 2 point (2) of the Regulation, which observes the values on which the European Union is founded, as referred to in Article 2 of the TEU, shall be entitled to apply to register its statutes as a European political party with the European Parliament;

4.  Encourages all European political parties and foundations to respect the provisions of Regulation No 1141/2014;

5.  Encourages the relevant institutions to respect the EU’s founding principle ‘United in Diversity’ that applies to all European political parties and foundations which observe the values on which the European Union is founded, as referred to in Article 2 of the TEU and in Articles 11 and 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.

• [1]  OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1.