Most of the parties represented in the Bundestag received significantly more donations in 2023 than in the previous year. The CDU was the frontrunner, but the CSU recorded the largest individual donation. But we are still a long way from the record year of 2021.
The party treasurers were able to be satisfied in 2023: companies, associations and individuals were more generous than in 2022. With around 2.92 million euros, they were able to more than double their result compared to 2022. This is shown by the figures published by the German Bundestag.
At that time, however, the CDU, CSU, SPD, FDP and Greens also recorded a sharp decline of around 1.36 million euros compared to the 2021 federal election year, in which associations, companies and individuals transferred a record sum of 12.5 million euros to the party coffers.
Accordingly, the CDU received a good one million euros in 2023, the CSU almost 830,000 euros. The FDP received just under 307,000 euros, the AfD around 265,000, and the SPD just over 255,000. The Greens received around 251,000 euros. The left came away empty-handed. Volt, which sees itself as a European party, was the only party not represented in the Bundestag. She received an individual donation of 250,000 euros.
Largest single donation for CSU
The CSU recorded the largest individual donation in 2023. After Christmas, the party received 569,962 euros from the Association of the Bavarian Metal and Electrical Industry. The CDU was behind with a donation of 500,000 euros. The AfD only received a single donation, but at 265,050 euros it was the third largest individual donation.
The South Schleswig Voters’ Association (SSW), which is represented by a member of the Bundestag, represents a special case. The party of the Danish minority in Schleswig-Holstein is supported by the Ministry of Culture in Copenhagen with quarterly payments. Last year they totaled almost 526,000 euros.
Obligation to report large donations
Political parties in Germany are financed primarily through membership fees, money from the state and donations. You must immediately report individual donations over 50,000 euros to the President of the Bundestag. It must publish the information promptly. Donations that exceed 10,000 euros per year must be recorded in the annual report with the name and address of the donor as well as the total amount. It will be forwarded to the President of the Bundestag.
As a result of a change in the party law, the threshold for large donations will be reduced from 50,000 to 35,000 euros from next year. This is intended to ensure more transparency in party financing.