The election funding debate has once again made headlines as the media has demanded to know Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi’s sources of funding in the last parliamentary election.

Kiviniemi received support at least from fur producers for her election campaign. Kiviniemi’s support association will not reveal other sources of funding because donations below 1,700 euros do not need to be declared. The funding from Finnish Fur Sales also falls below this amount. Kiviniemi’s 2007 parliamentary election campaign cost 66,000 euros in all.

The election funding stir has gone on for over two years. The row arose in the spring of 2008 when shortcomings were revealed in the funding of the 2007 parliamentary election.

Election funding donors must be declared if the funding exceeds the legally prescribed limit. Otherwise the declaration of overall sums received from various sources is sufficient. The declaration limit in the upcoming parliamentary elections is 1,500 euros, 200 euros less than before. The next parliamentary election will be organised in Finland on 17 April 2011.

STT
HT