Europa Transparant, the political party set up by former EU civil servant Paul van Buitenen, has lost its fight to be subsidised by the Dutch taxpayer. Europa Transparant won two seats at the last European parliamentary elections. The Council of State (appeal court) ruled it did not qualify for state subsidies because it was not represented in the national parliament. The party, which aims to fight corruption and fraud within the EU, had requested state funding of 350,000 euros. Dutch political parties recieve government subsidies according to the number of parliamentary seats they hold. There are strict rules governing sponsorship and gifts.