We have currently collected a little over 80,000 euros in donations. These are not just party members but also voters. Every day, donations come in gradually. Kõlvart said that the first sum of 120,000 euros has been paid. This month, the next sum will be paid. In the future, the Centre Party has to pay around 73,000 euros every month. Kõlvart said that the April payment is secured.
Kõlvart confirmed that the party has a plan to deal with the fine. He said that the party is also considering taking a loan. “We have a plan on how to handle this. The financial worries are more about how to raise funds for the election campaign,” said Kõlvart.
He said that currently, the election campaign budget is close to zero. ERR asked whether the savings come from reducing advertisements. “If the budget is close to zero, then our campaign is about communicating with people on social media and the streets,” answered Kõlvart. “Currently, we proceed with the assumption that we have no money for the election campaign. Then we have to see what we do with it,” he added.
Kõlvart believes that the election results depend on people's choices. He hopes that posters and TV ads are not the main factors. “Of course, much depends on the campaign. But today we must proceed with priorities. First, the repayment of debts, and then the campaign,” he said. At the same time, he said that the election campaign work is already underway.
The Supreme Court upheld on February 7th the decision that the Centre Party and some individuals are guilty of influence peddling. The circuit court imposed conditional imprisonment and financial fines as punishment. The Centre Party has to pay a one-million-euro fine.