Due to different reasons rooted in the political and constitutional experiences of the respective countries, the majority of CoE member states prohibit or substantially limit foreign donations to political parties (and, to a lesser extent, to candidates) (see CDL-AD(2006)014). Such prohibitions may be considered necessary in a democratic society to ensure, inter alia, the fairness and integrity of electoral competition and the responsiveness of elected representatives to the national electorate. In the light of political cooperation at the European level, however, a less restrictive approach might be considered, at least within Europe.