Transparency concerns rise over party donor anonymity

Sunday, 19 April 2026AI summary
Transparency concerns rise over party donor anonymity
Photo: CNN Portugal

The Entity for Political Accounts and Financing (Entidade das Contas e Financiamentos Políticos or ECFP) has decided to restrict public access to the identities of party and campaign donors. This move, supported by an opinion from the Commission for Access to Administrative Documents (Comissão de Acesso aos Documentos Administrativos or CADA), has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures like Alexandra Leitão, who argue that transparency must take precedence over data protection. Meanwhile, PSD parliamentary leader Hugo Soares has also faced backlash for suggesting that declarations of interest should no longer be public.

Context & Explainers

The Entity for Political Accounts and Financing (Entidade das Contas e Financiamentos Políticos or ECFP) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the financial activities of political parties and election campaigns in Portugal. It ensures compliance with transparency laws and monitors the sources of funding for political entities.