Table 1 Overview of national laws on voting in national elections and donates from abroad
From: Party expats? Mapping transnational party branches of French, German and UK parties
Country | Activity | National law | Legal incentive for transnational party branches |
|---|---|---|---|
UK | External Vote | Yes, since 1985 (15 years limit) | low |
Donate | Yes, with some rules and very low limits: - no limits for individuals on the electoral register in the UK (excludes Channel Islands, the Isle of Man) -Foreigners and individuals not on the electoral register limited to below £50 for individual candidate and below £500 to political parties + permits financial support for international travel, accommodation or subsistence by party officers/staff within ‘reasonable’ amounts | low | |
Germany | External Vote | Yes, since 1985, (with 25 years and other limits) | medium |
Donate | Yes, overall with very lenient rules for both individuals and companies but low limit of 1000€ for non-EU donations | high | |
France | External Vote | Yes, since 1975 and overseas MPs since 2011 (2012 first time elected) | very high |
Donate | Yes, but strict rules and high overall limits: - Donations by foreign individuals only and limited to 7500 per year and of 4600€ per election. € | medium |