Party donations to face tighter checks

Political parties in Albania could face tighter controls on donations and campaign money under a new law expected by the end of July.

The electoral reform commission is working on rules aimed at making party funding easier to trace.

The draft would require party transactions to go through bank accounts.

Membership fees could still be paid in cash, but parties would have to declare the money and deposit it in a bank within five days.

The rules would also limit how much individuals and businesses can donate.

One election expert said the concern was undeclared money, especially during election campaigns.

The Venice Commission has supported tighter restrictions on party donations.