58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?

'The law clearly defines violations of political finance laws, and the sanctions related to noncompliance. Noticeably, Italy did not establish a single authority controlling over political finance, but different authorities exist with different mandates and powers. The responsible bodies for imposing sanctions to political parties and movements are the newly established the ?Commission for the guarantee of the statute and for the transparency of the political parties' balance sheets and the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies (both regulated in art. 9 of law 96/2012). The Commission may apply a pecuniary sanction  for situations in which political parties fail to meet their reporting obligations, such as to submit their financial statements or to make their accounts public. The Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies may suspend the disbursement of public funding to those political parties that do not comply with the law, as reported by the Commission. The Regional Electoral Guarantee Board is responsible for imposing sanctions in relation to violations of the rules on candidates' electoral campaigns and on candidates' election expenses reporting. Under article 15 of law 515/1993, depending on the type of violation, the Regional Electoral Guarantee Board decides on removal from office of the elected candidate, or applies a pecuniary sanction.' 

Source: Money, Politics &Transparency: Italy, report 2016. Available at: http://data.moneypoliticstransparency.org/countries/IT/