Expert Forum: Political party subsidies, chopped by the propaganda machine

Expert Forum (EFOR) published a report yesterday that sheds light on the shocking way in which political parties manage the massive amounts received from subsidies, revealing that over half of the total spent went to "press and propaganda”.

EFOR analyzed the subsidies received by political parties between January and August 2025. Following the 2024 elections, eight parties receive subsidies. By September 2025 (inclusive), the parties have already collected 173 million lei, and the total estimate by the end of the year is 284 million lei. The largest beneficiaries of these funds are: PSD, which received 57 million lei, AUR, with 34 million lei and PNL with 31 million lei.

Of the total funds, the parties spent 174 million lei by August 2025. The bulk of the parties' expenses was directed towards the press and propaganda, totaling 92 million lei in the first eight months of 2025, i.e. almost 53% of the total expenses. The structure of expenses shows that, after propaganda, the largest amounts were allocated for personnel (18 million lei, 10%) and investments in movable and immovable property (12 million lei, 7%).

In terms of press and propaganda, the parties that spent the most are PSD and PNL. PSD spent 75.8 million lei in total, of which 81% (61.4 million lei) went exclusively to press and propaganda contracts. PNL allocated a third of its expenses (9.1 million lei) to propaganda in the media, while AUR gave 53% of its expenses (16 million lei) to press and propaganda, to which it added 1.8 million lei for the production and broadcasting of advertising spots.

In contrast, USR allocated only 20% (4.9 million lei) to press and propaganda, focusing more on personnel (30% or 7.5 million lei). SOS Romania spent an insignificant amount on propaganda (12,500 lei), focusing on political activities and travel.

The behavior of political leaders is considered regrettable due to their refusal to make public information related to press and propaganda contracts. Parties adopt a belligerent attitude towards the press when legitimate questions are asked. Although law 544/2001 does not oblige parties to publish this data ex officio, they could do so on their own initiative, especially since public money is involved.

Moreover, despite the fact that Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan had previously promised a reduction in subsidies, and recently mentioned a possible 10% cut (a reduction considered anemic anyway), the draft budget amendment does not foresee any decrease in the value of subsidies for parties. The only notable change in the AEP budget is an additional allocation of 169 million lei for the reimbursement of presidential expenses. Maintaining these amounts is seen as a disappointing gesture, which does not reinforce the idea that the parties are willing to make certain compromises, even if the financial savings would not have been very large.

Another controversial aspect highlighted in the Expert Forum report refers to the OUG 143/2024, issued by the Ciolacu Government, which allowed the reimbursement of money from subsidies for the canceled elections. Normally, this is illegal, since Law 334/2006 stipulates that reimbursements are made only for private funds. Subsidies are already public money, and their reimbursement could be seen as double financing. Following OUG 143/2024, the PNL sued the AEP after being asked to return 14 million lei in May 2025, claiming that it had no way to pay them. AUR used the same tactic, while USR returned 5 million lei.