33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?

(article 75, paragraph 4, Election Code). 

In the form of broadcasting time, the use of halls and other premises and facilities for putting up campaign posters, is provided. Pursuant to Article 731 , paragraph 11 and 4
1 of the Election Code, so-called ‘qualified election subjects’ are eligible for free broadcasting time.  A “general broadcaster” and a “broadcaster, which allocates time to election advertising”, are required to allocate to each qualified election subject – free of charge and equally – 90 seconds in every 3 hours; a “public broadcaster and a “community broadcaster, which allocates time to election advertising”, are required to allocate to each qualified election subject – free of charge and equally – no less than 60 seconds every hour.10 In addition, Article 74, paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Election Code provides that buildings managed by state or local government bodies are to be provided free of charge to election committees, which – in consultation with the election subjects – makes them available for election subjects for the purpose of organising rallies and other
election-related activities. Finally, municipalities are required to allocate specially placed stands
(hoarding) for election posters.                                       ‘Qualified election subjects’ are:
- political parties which have received at least four percent of the vote in the last parliamentary
elections;
- political parties which have received at least three percent of the vote in the whole country in
the last local elections;
- political parties having participated in the last parliamentary elections as part of an electoral
bloc, which has received at least four percent of the vote;
- political parties having participated in the last local elections as part of an electoral bloc,
which has received at least three percent of the vote in the whole country;
- candidates for presidential elections, who have been nominated by a political party, which
receives funding from the state budget based on the results of the most recent parliamentary
or local elections.