62-759: The Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies , also known as the Martens Centre and previously as the Centre for European Studies , is a think tank and European political foundation affiliated to the European People's Party (EPP). The Martens Centre links together a large network of political foundations across the European Union , which all hold centre-right positions and seek to advance those points of view in Europe and beyond. The president of
124-451: A European foundation's reimbursable expenditure (referred to as the "co-financing rate"); this means that European foundations were required to raise 15% of their budget from specific private sources ("own resources"), such as donations or member contributions. Regulation 1524/2007 also updated transparency obligations, limitations on donations, and prohibitions on spending, and applied them to European parties and foundations. In October 2014,
186-631: A European party" primarily if they are members of a European party's national member parties. As a result, many European parties have more MEPs than they have individual members. Member parties are national political parties with some form of membership described in the statutes of the European political party. In its November 2020 ACRE v Parliament ruling, the General Court of the European Union clarified that political parties outside of
248-531: A Member State, is affiliated with a political party at European level, and which through its activities, within the aims and fundamental values pursued by the European Union, underpins and complements the objectives of the political party at European level by performing, in particular, [...] observing, analysing and contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and on the process of European integration; developing activities linked to European public policy issues [...]; developing cooperation with entities of
310-882: A ban on the direct or indirect funding of national parties and candidates. The Regulation was later detailed by the Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004 and amended by Regulation 1524/2007. In particular, Regulation 1524/2007 clarified the funding framework and changed the co-financing rate, allowing public funding from the general budget of the European Union to reach 85% of European parties' reimbursable expenditure. This change meant that European parties were only requested to provide 15% in private co-financing. Regulation 1524/2007 also allowed European parties to set up affiliated European political foundations , separate entities contributing to
372-633: A collective vote, others do not provide them with voting rights at all. Below is the number of individual members per European party, as reported by the European Parliament: Final amounts of public funding to European parties for 2021 European parties use public and private funding to finance their activities; public funding refers exclusively to funding from the general budget of the European Union , and cannot directly come from Member States or third countries, or entities under their control. With regards to public funding, each year,
434-527: A limited role. The APPF monitors donations and contributions to European political foundations, and publishes a yearly list of donors. As of September 2024 , there are ten European political foundations registered with the APPF: The entities below were formerly registered with the APPF. The entities below qualified at some point for European public funding; however, they were never registered with
496-460: A limited role. The APPF monitors donations and contributions to European political parties, and publishes a yearly list of political donors. Article 6 of Regulation 1141/2014 empowers the APPF to impose sanctions on European parties, as detailed in Article 27. The APPF can deregister a European political party if: The APPF can apply financial sanctions to a European party if: Additionally,
558-517: A member "requires a genuine membership link with the European political party", which includes "a full range of rights and obligations [...] in particular voting/participation/access to documents" and "an appropriate membership fee". There is no legal definition of what constitutes individual membership, leading European parties to define them differently. A common trait is their absence of, or limited, input in party decision-making; some parties comprise internal bodies representing individual members with
620-508: A new category of "own resources", allowing European parties to raise private funding from specific economic activities, such as seminar fees or publication sales; funding from this new category would be capped at 5% of European parties' budget. Finally, it proposed allowing European parties to receive contributions from national member parties located in non-EU members of the Council of Europe . The European Parliament's AFCO Committee criticised
682-890: A new regulation aimed at replacing Regulation 1141/2021, using the recast procedure. In March 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted a political agreement (its own negotiating position). In July 2022, the European Parliament's AFCO Committee adopted its own position, which was endorsed by the Plenary in September 2022. Trilogues between the European Parliament, Council of the European Union, and European Commission took place in September, October and November 2022, and in March 2023, but did not reach an agreement. European foundations use public and private funding to finance their activities; public funding refers exclusively to funding from
SECTION 10
#1732780694538744-611: A number of changes, including the following: In March 2019, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation 2019/493, which further amended Regulation 1141/2014. Changes focused mostly on the use of personal data by European political parties and foundations. The modalities of the implementation of the Regulation were later updated by the Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 1 July 2019. In June 2021, in line with Article 38 of Regulation 1141/2014, MEPs Charles Goerens ( ALDE ) and Rainer Wieland ( EPP ) of
806-552: A number of changes, including the following: In March 2019, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation 2019/493, which further amended Regulation 1141/2014. Changes focused mostly on the use of personal data by European political parties and foundations. The modalities of the implementation of the Regulation were later updated by the Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 1 July 2019. In June 2021, in line with Article 38 of Regulation 1141/2014, MEPs Charles Goerens ( ALDE ) and Rainer Wieland ( EPP ) of
868-473: Is distributed in proportion to the share of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are members of foundations' parties of affiliation. For the financial year 2025, European political foundations were allocated a total of €24 million. Depending on their own application for European public funding and on their amount of "reimbursable expenses", European foundations may in fine receive less than their maximum allocation. European public funding accounts for
930-572: The Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF). European political parties – mostly consisting of national member parties, and few individual members – have the right to campaign during the European elections , for which they often adopt manifestos outlining their positions and ambitions. Ahead of the elections, some of them designate their preferred candidate (known as Spitzenkandidat or lead candidate) to be
992-769: The Federation of Liberal and Democrat Parties in Europe was founded in Stuttgart by parties from Denmark, France, Germany Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. A few months later, in July, party representatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands met in Luxembourg and founded the European People's Party . In 1992, Section 41 of the Treaty of Maastricht added Article 138a to
1054-511: The Treaty of Rome . Article 138a (the so called party article ) stated that "Political parties at European level are important as a factor for integration within the Union. They contribute to forming a European awareness and to expressing the political will of the citizens of the Union", thus officially recognising the existence of European political parties. In 1997, the Treaty of Amsterdam established who should pay for expenditure authorised by
1116-471: The general budget of the European Union , and cannot directly come from Member States or third countries, or entities under their control. With regards to public funding, each year, the European Parliament allocates a total amount of money to fund European political foundations affiliated to European parties qualifying for European public funding: 10% of this amount is distributed via a lump sum, allocated equally to all qualifying European foundations, while 90%
1178-539: The recast procedure. The Commission's document proposes a definition of political advertising, strengthens provisions on gender balance, clarifies the requirements for the display of the logo of the European political party by its member parties, and extends the obligation to comply with EU values to member parties. With regards to funding, this proposal retained the European Parliament's suggestion to lower European parties' co-financing rate (decreasing it from 10% down to 5%, and down to 0% in election years). It also included
1240-809: The 1970s, in the run-up to the first elections of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (adopted in 1976, and taking place for the first time in 1979 ). In 1973, following the enlargement of the European Community to Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, the enlarged Socialist congress met in Bonn and inaugurated the Confederation of the Socialist Parties of the European Community . In March 1976,
1302-507: The APPF. European political party A European political party , known formally as a political party at European level and informally as a Europarty , is a type of political party organisation operating transnationally in Europe and within the institutions of the European Union (EU). They are regulated and funded by EU Regulation 1141/2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations, and their operations are supervised by
SECTION 20
#17327806945381364-584: The Centre includes: The Martens Centre organises the European Ideas Forum (EIF), an annual conference bringing together EU leaders, European Commissioners, MEPs , economic experts, business leaders, and others to discuss various issues of European relevance. During the COVID-19 pandemic , EIF 2020 (October 2020) and EIF 2021 (June 2021) took place virtually, due to sanitary restrictions. EIF 2019
1426-527: The EU could not be regarded as political parties within the meaning of Regulation 1141/2014, because they were not composed of Union citizens. In its guidance, the APPF that European parties "are free to cooperate with parties or organisations by means of ancillary forms of association (e.g., observers, partners, associates, affiliates)", but only a member can be claimed to meet the registration criteria, and only they can provide member contributions. Being considered
1488-481: The European Parliament (MEP-based funding). Additionally, public funding could not exceed 75% of a European party's reimbursable expenditure (referred to as the "co-financing rate"); this means that European parties were required to raise 25% of their budget from specific private sources ("own resources"), such as donations or member contributions. Regulation 2004/2003 also introduced transparency obligations, limitations on donations, and prohibitions on spending, including
1550-581: The European Parliament , as had long been the case. This decision led the 2001 Treaty of Nice to add a second paragraph to Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (at the time, the "Treaty establishing the European Economic Community") to explicitly allow the funding of European political parties from the budget of the European Union. The new paragraph stated that "the Council, acting in accordance with
1612-624: The European Parliament allocates a total amount of money to fund European political parties qualifying for European public funding: 10% of this amount is distributed via a lump sum, allocated equally to all qualifying European parties, while 90% is distributed in proportion to each party's share MEPs. For the financial year 2025, European political parties were allocated a total of €46 million. Depending on their own application for European public funding and on their amount of "reimbursable expenses", European parties may in fine receive less than their maximum allocation. European public funding accounts for
1674-494: The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation 2004/2003 "on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding", which provided the first official definition of European political parties and created a framework for their public funding. However, the Regulation did not provide legal recognition or public funding for European political foundations. In its Resolution of 23 March 2006 on European parties,
1736-593: The European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation 1141/2014, which replaced Regulation 2004/2003 and overhauled the framework for European political parties and foundations, including by giving them a European legal status. It also established the Authority for the European political parties and European political foundations (APPF), a standalone entity for the purpose of registering, controlling, and imposing sanctions on European parties and foundations. Regulation 1141/2014 applied as of 1 January 2017, and covered
1798-532: The European Parliament considered that, "during the present phase of reflection on the future of the European Union", several questions ought to be considered, including the way in which "European political foundations [can] be supported in order to assist in European political parties' work of political information and education." The European Parliament called on the European Commission to submit proposals on this topic, but did not explicitly call for
1860-487: The European Parliament may exclude a European party from future public funding for up to 10 years if it has engaged in illegal activities detrimental to the financial interests of the Union, or has omitted information or provided false or misleading information. For "non-quantifiable infringements", the financial sanction ranges from 5 to 20% of the annual budget of the European political party, and 50% of its annual budget when it has engaged in illegal activities detrimental to
1922-478: The European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) presented a draft report on the implementation of the Regulation. With regards to funding, the draft report called on the Commission and co-legislators to clarify the definition of indirect funding from European political parties and foundations to national member parties, remove the ban on financing referendum campaigns on European issues, allow
Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-419: The European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) presented a draft report on the implementation of the Regulation. With regards to funding, the draft report called on the Commission and co-legislators to clarify the definition of indirect funding from European political parties and foundations to national member parties, remove the ban on financing referendum campaigns on European issues, allow
2046-643: The Martens Centre is former Slovak prime minister Mikuláš Dzurinda . The centre provides analysis and other contributions on topics related to EU policy. It is also involved in more specific areas of the EU, most recently the discussion on the Future of Europe . The Martens Centre was founded by the EPP in 2007 as a result of the revision of the EU Regulation on European political parties , which allowed
2108-544: The activities of European parties and foundations starting with the financial year 2018. Since then, applications for public funding are placed with the APPF, but decisions on funding remain with the European Parliament. In May 2018, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation 2018/673, which amended Regulation 1141/2014 by detailing provisions relating to the registration of political parties and foundations, and transparency regarding political programmes and party logos. Among others, Regulation 2018/673 introduced
2170-544: The activities of European parties and foundations starting with the financial year 2018. Since then, applications for public funding are placed with the APPF, but decisions on funding remain with the European Parliament. In May 2018, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation 2018/673, which amended Regulation 1141/2014 by detailing provisions relating to the registration of political parties and foundations, and transparency regarding political programmes and party logos. Among others, Regulation 2018/673 introduced
2232-604: The centre's values and those of the centre-right EPP political family. European political foundation A European political foundation , formerly known as a political foundation at European level , is a type of political foundation affiliated to, but independent from, a European political party , and operating transnationally in Europe and within the institutions of the European Union (EU). European political foundations carry specific political activities and are networks of national political foundations. They are regulated and funded by EU Regulation 1141/2014 on
2294-458: The centre's ‘Europe Out Loud’ podcast series. In addition, the centre was ranked 11th political think tank worldwide in the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, compiled by the University of Pennsylvania's Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP). The Martens Centre functions as a pan-European platform for member foundations, think tanks and experts from across Europe that share
2356-646: The creation of European political foundations and think tanks affiliated to European parties. Originally, the EPP established its foundation as the Centre for European Studies (CES). During the EPP Congress in Dublin in March 2014, the think tank was renamed as the "Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies" or "Martens Centre" for short, to honour its founder, long-standing EPP president and former prime minister of Belgium, Wilfried Martens . The Martens Centre has over 50 partners across Europe and other parts of
2418-417: The debate on European issues, organising conferences, and carrying out research, and linking like-minded national political foundations. Finally, the revised regulation explicitly allows European parties to finance campaigns conducted for elections to the European Parliament. In October 2014, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation 1141/2014, which replaced Regulation 2004/2003 and overhauled
2480-507: The decision of the European Commission to opt for the recast method, which effectively limits discussions to the provisions of the Regulation which the Commission has decided to modify and prevents a wider review of the Regulation. In March 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted a political agreement (its own negotiating position). In July 2022, the European Parliament's AFCO Committee adopted its own position, which
2542-523: The decision-making process of the European Council through coordination meetings with their affiliated heads of state and government. They also work closely with their members in the European Commission. In addition to the registered European political parties, many other entities are politically active at the European level without meeting the criteria for registration or wishing to register. The first European political parties formed during
Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-494: The financial interests of the Union. For "quantifiable infringements", the financial sanction ranges from 100 to 300% of the irregular sums received or not reported, up to a maximum of 10% of the party's annual budget. In October 2023, the APPF sanctioned the Identity and Democracy Party for "intentionally providing incorrect information about its board composition to the public". The financial sanction applied amounted to 5% of
2666-534: The first legal recognition of European parties and, in 1997, the Treaty of Amsterdam enabled the public funding of European parties via political groups of the European Parliament . Following criticism of this arrangement by the European Court of Auditors , the 2001 Treaty of Nice allowed the funding of European parties directly from the budget of the European Union. In November 2003,
2728-441: The following conditions regarding European parties' governance: European political parties are mostly made up of national member parties. Additionally, European citizens can become individual members of some European parties, depending on the provisions of those parties' statutes. The count of MEPs for the purpose of European public funding is separate from the question of individual membership, as MEPs are considered "members of
2790-415: The framework for European political parties and foundations, including by giving them a European legal status. It also established the Authority for the European political parties and European political foundations (APPF), a standalone entity for the purpose of registering, controlling, and imposing sanctions on European parties and foundations. Regulation 1141/2014 applied as of 1 January 2017, and covered
2852-472: The funding of European parties from non-EU national parties (which, following Brexit, meant that political parties in the UK could no longer finance European parties), broaden the categories of private funding, decrease European parties' co-financing rate, and simplify accounting procedures. In November 2021, the European Commission proposed a text for a new regulation aimed at replacing Regulation 1141/2021, using
2914-401: The funding of European parties from non-EU national parties and foundations (which, following Brexit, meant that political parties and foundations in the UK could no longer finance their European counterparts), broaden the categories of private funding, decrease European parties' co-financing rate, and simplify accounting procedures. In November 2021, the European Commission proposed a text for
2976-486: The next President of the European Commission . The work of European parties can be supplemented by that of an officially affiliated European political foundation ; foundations are independent from European parties and contribute to the public debate on policy issues and European integration. European parties' counterparts in the European Parliament are the Parliament's political groups . European parties influence
3038-477: The party article (renumbered Article 191). This provided a mechanism whereby European parties could be paid out of the budget of the European Union, and European parties started to spend the money. Such expenditure included the funding of national parties, an outcome not originally intended. In June 2000, the European Court of Auditors considered that the funding of European political parties should not be carried out using appropriations made for political groups in
3100-435: The party's annual budget, or €47,021. As of October 2024 , there are twelve European political parties registered with the APPF: The entities below were formerly registered with the APPF. The entities below qualified at some point for European public funding; however, they were never registered with the APPF. In addition to the registered European political parties, many other entities are politically active at
3162-595: The policies of the EU , both on the expert and more general public level. The Centre produces research papers, books, policy briefs, collaborative publications, along with several other formats. A major publication of the centre is the European View policy journal, which covers contemporary themes of European politics, focusing on one specific issue in each edition. It typically involves a blend of academics, experts, politicians, and decision-makers. Additional content from
SECTION 50
#17327806945383224-440: The procedure referred to in Article 251, shall lay down the regulations governing political parties at European level and in particular the rules regarding their funding." The reference to "Article 251" refers to the co-decision procedure , which involves both the European Parliament and the Council as co-legislators. In November 2003, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation 2004/2003 "on
3286-439: The public funding of European foundations. In December 2007, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation 1524/2007, amending Regulation 2004/2003, among others by providing a legal definition for European political foundations and including them in the existing public funding scheme. European political foundations were defined as "an entity or network of entities which has legal personality in
3348-631: The publications, the centre organises various projects with its partners along with in-house events throughout the year, along with other major events such as the European Ideas Forum , Net@Work , and the Transatlantic Think Tank Conference . In 2023, the Russian authorities designated the Martens Centre as " undesirable ". The Martens Centre monitors, analyses, and contributes to the debate relating to
3410-450: The regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding". Regulation 2004/2003 provided the first official definition of European political parties and created a framework for their public funding. This framework provided that, out of a total envelope for European parties, 15% would be distributed equally (the lump sum), and 85% would be distributed in proportion to each party's number of members of
3472-470: The same kind in order to promote democracy; [and] serving as a framework for national political foundations, academics, and other relevant actors to work together at European level." The new framework provided that, out of a total envelope, 15% would be distributed equally (the lump sum), and 85% would be distributed in proportion to each party's number of members of the European Parliament (MEP-based funding). Additionally, public funding could not exceed 85% of
3534-413: The statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations, and their operations are supervised by the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF). European political parties formed during the 1970s, in the run-up to the first elections of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage . In 1992, the Treaty of Maastricht provided
3596-453: The vast majority of European foundations' income. For instance, the comparison of maximum allocations and final amounts of public funding for the year 2021 was as follows: With regards to private funding, European foundations mostly receive financial contributions from their national member parties, which, in turn, almost always receive public funding from Member States. Donations from legal persons and, especially, from individuals only play
3658-445: The vast majority of European parties' income. For instance, the comparison of maximum allocations and final amounts of public funding for the year 2021 was as follows: With regards to private funding, European parties mostly receive financial contributions from their national member parties, which, in turn, almost always receive public funding from Member States. Donations from legal persons and, especially, from individuals only play
3720-505: The world. It seeks to advance a pan-European mindset , promoting Christian-democratic and liberal-conservative political values. It acts as a platform of cooperation for centre-right partners and experts, offering decision-makers and opinion leaders assistance in formulating new and effective policy options to assist the European Union in a variety of areas: global geopolitics, transatlantic relations, and democracy promotion. The Martens Centre produces publications in various formats. Besides
3782-491: Was endorsed by the Plenary in September 2022. Trilogues between the European Parliament, Council of the European Union, and European Commission took place in September, October and November 2022, and in March 2023, but did not reach an agreement. Article 3 of Regulation 1141/2014 lists the following criteria for an entity to register as a European political party with the APPF: Additionally, Article 4 imposes
SECTION 60
#17327806945383844-849: Was held in Cyprus in March 2019 and EIF 2018 took place in Paris in June 2018. In addition, the Martens Centre holds the Annual Transatlantic Think Tank Conference, which organises discussions with policymakers from both sides of the Atlantic to discuss themes relating to transatlantic relations. Other events include: The Martens Centre was awarded the ‘Best Digital Channel’ trophy at the Digital Communication Awards in 2018, in recognition for
#537462