Home > 2.6 Campaign finance > SERBIA - Urgent Opinion on the Draft Law on the Referendum and the People's Initiative
 
 
 
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Paragraph 49
 

The organisations which are prohibited to finance campaigns are too widely defined (Article 26): churches and religious communities could have a legitimate interest in some issues submitted to a referendum. The same applies to foundations and unions. Limitations which could be acceptable in an electoral campaign could go against the principle of proportionality in a referendum on a subject which may address the core activities of these organisations. Moreover, foreign nationals are also excluded from contributing to the financing of campaigns. This should not be the case if they are legal residents in Serbia and the referendum is not about the Constitution or constitutional laws. The Venice Commission recommends reconsidering this provision.