Prishtina, May 29, 2017 – The Democracy for Development Institute (D4D) has organized the signing of a declaration on financial transparency during the election campaign by political parties. Financial transparency of the political parties has been a topic of discussion for a long time in Kosovo, creating a dilemma with regards to the way political entities reported their finances. Although there was a formal audit in 2012, there were no audits for the local elections in 2013 and parliamentary elections in 2014. This problem has also been mentioned by the European Commission through the Progress Report.

The declaration signed today demonstrates the will of the political parties to take steps towards increasing financial transparency. It is an obligation of political parties to be a model for society by offering their openness to the public in financial terms. This openness would change the perception of citizens vis-à-vis political entities, displaying them as more transparent and accountable in front of the public. The political parties signing this declaration are: Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), KDTP – Kosovo Democratic Party (KDTP), Movement for Union (LB), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Self-Determination Movement! (LVV), NISMA for Kosovo (NISMA), the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Egyptian Liberal Party – PLE (PLE). D4D will work closely with all political entities to ensure compliance with the commitments of this declaration.

Being aware of the financial transparency and accountability of the entities, we would like the pledges made today by political entities to be respected and put into practice in the coming months. In this regard, Mr. Shpend Emini, Executive Director of the Democracy for Development Institute, emphasized that although the Law on Financing of Political Parties sets out the legal deadlines that political parties should report by, they have not reported yet. The purpose of this declaration is that political parties should fulfill their legal commitments by publishing the expenditure report during the election campaign and accurate reporting on annual financial expenditures. Mrs. Valdete Daka, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, welcomed the signing of this statement and D4D’s initiative to demand from political parties more transparency in election campaign spending. Mrs. Daka also said that this statement contributes to the democratic development of Kosovo’s elections.

Luigi Brusa, representative from the European Union Office in Kosovo, said that the declaration, signed in the spirit of the Law on Financing of Political Parties, is a prerequisite for democratization and functionalization with international standards of political parties. Also, this transparency and financial accountability of political parties’ would bring both the party MPs and their voters closer together.