Political parties scaling back election spending - a move seen as Chega party more than doubling their financial allocation
Low-Down on the Political Spending Spree
Parties are buckling down on expenses for this year's campaigns, aiming to save big compared to 2024. Despite the budget cuts, the anticipated spending is slightly over the forecasted amount from last year. This suggests that the intention to save has come post-mishaps experienced in the last campaign.
Small parties are planning to invest only around 126 thousand euros to try their luck at making it to parliament. The Justice and Freedom Party (JPP) hopes to cover the entire campaign cost through state subsidies if they manage to elect at least one deputy.
Chega, the only exception, is going against the cost-cutting trend and plans to spend a whopping €1.6 million, more than double their budget in 2024. This amount is also above the actual expenses incurred by Chega in 2024 (€1.3 million).
In contrast, AD and PS are planning to spend approximately 1.9 million euros less than what was invested in the 2024 campaign. AD is also reducing its investment by over 700 thousand euros compared to 2024. The Socialists, now in opposition, are aiming for a spending limit of 2.25 million euros, totally financed by state subsidies.
In total, parties represented in parliament aim to invest 2.1 million less than in 2024, with all, except Chega, making estimates lower than last year’s spending.
Interestingly, the Liberal Initiative stands out due to its commitment to private fundraising, with about 13% of its total budget (575 thousand euros) coming from this financing source. This makes the Liberals the parliamentary party with the highest proportion of funding external to the State or party's accounts. The AD, New Right, and Ergue-te are also notable for successful fundraising in the past.
Comparing the budgets and fundraising strategies of parties in this year's campaigns to those in the 2024 elections highlights several key aspects. The Democratic Party seems to be shifting its focus towards grassroots organizing, ground-level mobilization, and sustained voter contact—strategies that have been yielding positive results this year. This moves away from the traditional fundraising methods heavily relied upon in the past, such as PACs and individual contributions. Overperformance in several elections this year and key victories, including a Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin, are attributed to these sustained organizational efforts.
In light of the latest news regarding political spending for the incoming campaigns, Portugal's Justice and Freedom Party (JPP) has signaled an unusual strategy, planning to bankroll their campaign with state subsidies if they manage to elect at least one deputy, marking a shift in policy-and-legislation within the country's politics. The General News also highlights the Liberal Initiative's unique approach, with approximately 13% of their budget coming from private fundraising sources, making them the parliamentary party with the highest proportion of funding external to the State or party's accounts. This strategic change in fundraising methods and focus on grassroots organizing across several parties underscores the evolving landscape of policy-and-legislation within Portugal's political spectrum.
