Donations to parties represented in Latvian parliament total over EUR 0.5 million in 2016

RIGA - Donations to the political parties represented in the Latvian parliament totaled EUR 584,538 last year, according to the information from the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) which is responsible also for supervision over the party finances.

The ruling Union of Greens and Farmers represented by Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis received the largest amount in donations last year - EUR 200,330, and the donations made separately to the two members of the Greens/Farmers bloc - the Latvian Union of Farmers and the Latvian Green Party - amounted to EUR 30,125 and EUR 25,756 respectively.

Donations to other parties represented in the Latvian parliament added up to EUR 328,327 in 2016.

The ruling Unity party received EUR 179,923 and the ruling National Alliance EUR 57,314 in donations last year.

The opposition Harmony party got EUR 78,720 in donations in 2016. The donations to the opposition Latvian Alliance of Regions were EUR 6,795 and the opposition For Latvia From The Heart party were EUR 5,575 last year.

KPV LV party lead by MP Artuss Kaimins and founded only in May 2016 received just EUR 735 in donations last year.

At the same time, For Latvia's Development party which is not currently represented in the Latvian parliament, received EUR 66,082 in donations in 2016.

The New Conservative Party led by former justice minister Janis Bordans and also not represented in the current Latvian parliament last year received EUR 7,550 in donations.