The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) received more than double the political contributions raised by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) last year, most the result of small, individual donation drives.
While more than half of KMT donations came from corporate contributions, only about 20 percent of the DPP’s contributions were attributable to corporations, forcing it to rely on personal donations.
With less than 90 days left before the special municipality elections, the Control Yuan yesterday released data on the funds received by political parties last year. The year saw a marked decrease in donations from 2008, a presidential election year.
The DPP received a total of NT$179 million (US$5.6 million) last year against total expenditures of about NT$174 million. Personal donations accounted for NT$120 million of the total, while businesses contributed NT$32 million and non-profit and anonymous donors another NT$18.4 million.
The DPP spent about NT$100 million on personnel and NT$14 million on subsidies for party candidates in last year’s local elections and legislative by-elections. It had NT$59 million left over in the party coffers at the end of last year.
Meanwhile, the KMT took in NT$75 million against total expenditures of NT$360 million. Its main sources of income were corporate donations, which accounted for NT$43 million, while personal donations totaled NT$30 million. Non-profit and anonymous donors contributed NT$2 million.
The party spent about NT$25 million on personnel and NT$300 million on supporting its local candidates last year. It had NT$13 million left over in its party coffers at the end of last year.
The release of the figures publicizing the KMT’s huge disparity in donations received and money spent came as a shock to DPP officials, who said people would start to question where the money came from.
“Looking at the figures, either the KMT didn’t accurately publicize its financial information, or it still has control over massive party assets, meaning that it doesn’t have to fundraise,” DPP spokesperson Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said.
The KMT denied the allegations, saying its finances were open and transparent. It said that in light of the higher contributions it received in the past year, the DPP should stop “pleading poverty.”
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