The role of political parties is central to a functioning democracy, as parties are a means to promote pluralism in public life. The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR have highlighted the importance of political parties on many occasions. For example, the Guidelines state that “political parties are private associations that play a critical role as political actors in the public sphere”. In this regard, they are key in the formation of the popular will. Furthermore, the European Court on Human Rights (ECtHR) has stressed in its case law that political parties are a form of association included in the protection afforded by Article 11 of the ECHR.