17

1 - Political parties which submit candidates for election to the Assembly of the Republic, to the European Parliament, to the Regional Legislative Assemblies and to local authorities, as well as groups of voting citizens of the governing bodies of local authorities and candidates for election of the President of the Republic are entitled to a state grant to cover the costs of election campaigns, in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs.

2 - Parties which contest elections to the European Parliament or at least 51% of the seats up for election in the Assembly of the Republic or to the Regional Legislative Assemblies and which obtain representation, as well as candidates to the Presidency of the Republic which obtain at least 5% of the vote, are entitled to a grant.

3 - In elections to local authorities, parties, coalitions and groups of voting citizens which simultaneously compete for election to two municipal governing bodies and which achieve representation of at least one directly elected person or at least 2% of the votes in each ballot are entitled to a grant.

4 - The total value of grants is equivalent to :
a) 20 000 times the value of the IAS for elections to the Assembly of the Republic;
b) 10 000 times the amount of the IAS for elections to the Presidency of the Republic and the European Parliament;
c) 4000 times the value of the IAS for elections to the Regional Legislative Assemblies.

5 - In the case of local authority elections, the total grant is equivalent to 150% of the spending limit allowed for the municipality, in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 20.

6 - The grant is to be requested from the President of the Assembly of the Republic within a period of 15 days following the official declaration of election results, whereas in municipal elections, agents are required to identify the municipality or municipalities where the respective group of voting citizens, party or coalition has submitted candidates.

7 - The Assembly of the Republic shall advance, within a period of 15 days following submission of the request mentioned above, an amount equal to 50% of the estimated value of the grant.

8 - In the event that, subsequent to the advance referred to in the preceding paragraph, the remainder of the grant is not paid within 60 days following delivery of the application referred to in paragraph 6, late payment interest shall be applied at the statutory rate applicable to State debts.