Portugal's CSMP supports donor transparency to detect party financing crimes

The Superior Council of the Public Ministry (CSMP) has stated that increasing transparency regarding the identity of political party donors could facilitate the detection of crimes related to party financing. In three opinions sent to Parliament, the CSMP addressed legislative proposals from the PS, Livre, and BE parties aimed at reversing the concealment of donor names.

The CSMP noted that strengthening public scrutiny over the origin of donations is likely to assist the Public Ministry in identifying potential infractions within the financing regime. However, the Council also highlighted that identifying donors can reveal personal political convictions, which constitutes sensitive personal data under GDPR regulations requiring strict treatment.

The Council clarified that while the legislative choice to reverse previous interpretations regarding donor anonymity is a matter of political policy, the resulting knowledge of infractions—whether administrative or criminal—can trigger action by the Public Ministry.