“It was incredibly complicated”: Mitte-Paganini reveals campaign budget – and learns system pitfalls

The candidates must report their budgeted income and donations of more than 15,000 francs to the Federal Court of Audit by September 7, ie one and a half months before the elections.

After the elections there are 60 days for the final accounts: there the national councilors have to declare income and donations of more than 15,000 francs. Also, the state councils must declare donations from abroad and anonymous donations – no matter how large they are.

Paganini had a bumpy road before his data made it to the portal. “It was incredibly complicated and a lot of bureaucracy until I submitted my budget.” The procedure took some time. “First you had to open an account with a copy of your ID and register, then you were asked to log in with two-factor authentication and then start a campaign. But you need a code for that, it didn’t work for me at first,” he describes his annoyance.

Ironically, Paganini is the first. He is a critic of the new openness. “I don’t think the disclosure will do any good. The extra transparency is overrated and at most leads to people donating less because they don’t want to be mentioned publicly,” he says.

54,000 francs for one chair

He has 54,000 francs available for the election campaign. So far – “but that could be more”. Then he would adjust the budget at the SFAO. His money comes from several donors, who each paid significantly less than 15,000 francs. He has no major donors.

Paganini wants to use less money this year than four years ago. “I was relatively new to Parliament at the time and people knew me less.”

In 2019, Paganini also relied on unconventional campaign projects: for example, he helped out on a construction site. This year will be more conventional, with election posters and online advertisements. Another cost is payable to the party. “I will also have to pay the center party of St. Gallen something for the election campaign.”

Criticism from advocates of transparency

The new rules were a counter-proposal to the transparency initiative. Yet there is also criticism: “It’s better than nothing, but it’s bad,” Otto Hostettler, co-chair of the independent transparency platform Lobbywatch, told the “observer”. Major donors can be disguised through associations or foundations, and the SFAO also publishes donation data even if false information is suspected. Only if someone has been convicted, a note is made in the register. “Incorrect donation data has practically no consequences,” says Hostettler.

The SFAO randomly checks the information within 15 days of submission. That was not the case with Paganini.