MPs have agreed that political parties can accept anonymous donations of up to €50.

The House Consideration of Bill Committee spent the best part of Monday’s five-hour meeting debating the different thresholds for donations.

Parties can guarantee donors of between €50 and €500 confidentiality unless the Electoral Commission (as the regulator) has proof that an irregular donation has been made.

For donations of between €500 and €7,000, parties must keep a list of donors which can be seen by the Electoral Commission. Any donation of between €7,000 and €25,000 must be published. Donations over €25,000 are illegal.

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said the idea was to strike a balance between providing an incentive for people – as some might be put off from donating if confidentiality was not guaranteed – and producing serious regulatory legislation.

Alternattiva Demokratika’s vice chairman Carmel Cacopardo suggested parties should not inherit property. The other members argued that a deceased person cannot influence party politics so inheritance should not be prohibited.

The Opposition said the clause should cover donations of property or advantageous property rental by government to political parties, but the clause was carried with the Opposition voting against.