Union of Democratic Forces (Bulgaria)
Encyclopedia
The Union of Democratic Forces is a political party
in Bulgaria
, founded in 1989 as a union of several political organizations in opposition to the communist government. In February 1997 the Union was transformed into a single unified party with the same name. The SDS is a member of the European People's Party
(EPP).
in the late 1980s were the basis for the Union. Once Zhivkov fell, a loose political confederation was envisioned where constituent groups could continue to work for their own cause, while the coordinating council would include three members from each organization. The Longtime dissident philosopher Zhelyu Zhelev
, who would later become Bulgaria's President, was elected chairman, and Petar Beron, a well-known environmental scientist, was chosen as secretary.
The UDF was officially founded on 7 December 1989 as a union of eleven political organizations, such as Ekoglasnost, Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers' Party (United)
and Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union "Nikola Petkov". The following year, six more parties were incorporated (Radical Democratic Party
, Green Party of Bulgaria
, Democratic Party
, New Social Democratic Party, United Democratic Centre, Democratic Front).
The SDS lost the 1990 elections to the Bulgarian Socialist Party
but still participated in the joint cabinet of Dimitar Iliev Popov
. On 15 May 1991 39 members left the SDS because of disagreements with the draft of the new constitution and founded the new organizations SDS-Center and SDS-Liberals. Later the remnants of the SDS formed their own cabinet with Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov
in November 1991, though the cabinet lasted only a little over a year when the government failed a motion of confidence in September 1992. The socialists, together with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
, formed a coalition government headed by Prof. Lyuben Berov
and then BSP went on to win the 1995 elections.
However, following discontent over economic problems, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov
resigned at the end of 1996, clearing the way for new elections, this time won by the SDS with a crushing 55% vote. Party leader Ivan Kostov
went on to form the new government and successfully passed several economic reforms, he was eventually rewarded in December 1999 with an invitation to begin membership talks with the European Union
. But public discontent over the social cost of the reforms, including increased unemployment, as well as allegations of corruption led to the SDS's defeat in the June 2001 elections, which were won by the National Movement for Simeon II. The United Democratic Forces
won 18.2% of the popular vote and 51 out of 240 seats in the 2001 elections.
The SDS was chaired until the May 20, 2007 European elections by Petar Stoyanov
, former president of the country. Meanwhile, Kostov, the former Prime Minister and UDF party leader went on to form his own party - Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
. At the last legislative elections
, 25 June 2005, the United Democratic Forces won 8.4% of the popular vote and 20 out of 240 seats.
It was announced at the inaugural conference of the Movement for European Reform
(MER, March 2007) that the SDS would become official partners alongside the British Conservative Party
and the Czech
Civic Democratic Party. In mid April 2007, the SDS backtracked on its decision, stating that it remains loyal to the EPP and that it will never leave the EPP section of the EPP-ED Group to join another Group. In the May 20, 2007 European elections SDS failed to elect even a single MEP, resulting in the resignation of Stoyanov who led the list. The resignation of Stoyanov - who signed-up to MER - will almost certainly result in the withdrawal of SDS from the MER.
was formed around SDS. The same name was later used for other elections and parliamentary groups.
for the European Parliament elections
and National Assembly elections
. The coalition was named The Blue Coalition
and included some other parties.
Chairmen and Chairwomen of the unified party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, founded in 1989 as a union of several political organizations in opposition to the communist government. In February 1997 the Union was transformed into a single unified party with the same name. The SDS is a member of the European People's Party
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
(EPP).
A brief history
Dissident groups formed under the faltering regime of Todor ZhivkovTodor Zhivkov
Todor Khristov Zhivkov was a communist politician and leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria from March 4, 1954 until November 10, 1989....
in the late 1980s were the basis for the Union. Once Zhivkov fell, a loose political confederation was envisioned where constituent groups could continue to work for their own cause, while the coordinating council would include three members from each organization. The Longtime dissident philosopher Zhelyu Zhelev
Zhelyu Zhelev
Zhelyu Mitev Zhelev is a Bulgarian politician and former dissident who was the first democratically elected President of Bulgaria, he is elected for his first mandate by the Parliament for the period 1990 to 1992, in January 1992 general elections are held when he is reelected for his second...
, who would later become Bulgaria's President, was elected chairman, and Petar Beron, a well-known environmental scientist, was chosen as secretary.
The UDF was officially founded on 7 December 1989 as a union of eleven political organizations, such as Ekoglasnost, Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers' Party (United)
Party of Bulgarian Social Democrats
The Party of Bulgarian Social Democrats is a social-democratic political party in Bulgaria. It is a member of the Socialist International and the Party of European Socialists.-History:...
and Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union "Nikola Petkov". The following year, six more parties were incorporated (Radical Democratic Party
Radical Democratic Party (Bulgaria)
The Radical Democratic Party is a liberal party in Bulgaria. The party was founded in 1902 by Naičo Canov and other dissidents from the Democratic Party. It was banned in 1934, revived in 1944 and again banned in 1949....
, Green Party of Bulgaria
Green Party of Bulgaria
The Green Party of Bulgaria is a political party in Bulgaria. It is part of the Coalition for Bulgaria, an alliance led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party...
, Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Bulgaria)
The Democratic Party is a center-right party in Bulgaria led by Alexander Pramatarski. It is part of the United Democratic Forces. The United Democratic Forces won in the 2001 elections 18.2 % of the popular vote and 51 out of 240 seats...
, New Social Democratic Party, United Democratic Centre, Democratic Front).
The SDS lost the 1990 elections to the Bulgarian Socialist Party
Bulgarian Socialist Party
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is social-democratic political party in Bulgaria and successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The BSP is a member of the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International, and is currently led by Sergei Stanishev....
but still participated in the joint cabinet of Dimitar Iliev Popov
Dimitar Iliev Popov
Dimitar Iliev Popov was a leading Bulgarian judge and the first Prime Minister of the country not to be a member of the Bulgarian Communist Party since 1946....
. On 15 May 1991 39 members left the SDS because of disagreements with the draft of the new constitution and founded the new organizations SDS-Center and SDS-Liberals. Later the remnants of the SDS formed their own cabinet with Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov
Filip Dimitrov
Philip Dimitrov Dimitrov is a Bulgarian politician, Prime Minister of Bulgaria for the short period 1991-1992, MP in the 36th , 37th and the 40th National Assembly, and MEP from January 2007 to May 2007....
in November 1991, though the cabinet lasted only a little over a year when the government failed a motion of confidence in September 1992. The socialists, together with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
Movement for Rights and Freedoms
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms is an ethnic Turkish party in Bulgaria. The MRF is a member of the Liberal International and considers itself a liberal party, rather like the Swedish People's Party - party of the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland...
, formed a coalition government headed by Prof. Lyuben Berov
Lyuben Berov
Lyuben Berov was a Bulgarian economist. He served as prime minister of Bulgaria from 1992 to 1994....
and then BSP went on to win the 1995 elections.
However, following discontent over economic problems, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov
Zhan Videnov
Zhan Vasilev Videnov was prime minister of Bulgaria from 25 January 1995 until 13 February 1997, a term remembered for the most severe economic and financial crisis in recent Bulgarian history. He was chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party from 1991 to 1996.-Education:Zhan Videnov graduated...
resigned at the end of 1996, clearing the way for new elections, this time won by the SDS with a crushing 55% vote. Party leader Ivan Kostov
Ivan Kostov
Ivan Yordanov Kostov was Prime Minister of Bulgaria from May 1997 to July 2001 and leader of the Union of Democratic Forces between December 1994 and July 2001....
went on to form the new government and successfully passed several economic reforms, he was eventually rewarded in December 1999 with an invitation to begin membership talks with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. But public discontent over the social cost of the reforms, including increased unemployment, as well as allegations of corruption led to the SDS's defeat in the June 2001 elections, which were won by the National Movement for Simeon II. The United Democratic Forces
United Democratic Forces
The United Democratic Forces were a center-right electoral alliance in Bulgaria, led by the Union of Democratic Forces.-Members of the coalition:1997 *Union of Democratic Forces...
won 18.2% of the popular vote and 51 out of 240 seats in the 2001 elections.
The SDS was chaired until the May 20, 2007 European elections by Petar Stoyanov
Petar Stoyanov
Petar Stefanov Stoyanov is a former President of Bulgaria from 1997 until 2002. He was elected as a candidate of the Union of Democratic Forces...
, former president of the country. Meanwhile, Kostov, the former Prime Minister and UDF party leader went on to form his own party - Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria is a political party in Bulgaria established by former Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov . The motto of the party is "For a Strong Bulgaria in Unified Europe".- History :...
. At the last legislative elections
Elections in Bulgaria
Elections in Bulgaria gives information on election and election results in Bulgaria.Bulgaria elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people...
, 25 June 2005, the United Democratic Forces won 8.4% of the popular vote and 20 out of 240 seats.
It was announced at the inaugural conference of the Movement for European Reform
Movement for European Reform
The Movement for European Reform, abbreviated to MER, was a pan-European alliance of national centre-right political parties with conservative, pro-free market and Eurosceptic inclinations...
(MER, March 2007) that the SDS would become official partners alongside the British Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
and the Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
Civic Democratic Party. In mid April 2007, the SDS backtracked on its decision, stating that it remains loyal to the EPP and that it will never leave the EPP section of the EPP-ED Group to join another Group. In the May 20, 2007 European elections SDS failed to elect even a single MEP, resulting in the resignation of Stoyanov who led the list. The resignation of Stoyanov - who signed-up to MER - will almost certainly result in the withdrawal of SDS from the MER.
United Democratic Forces
For the 1997 parliamentary elections, an alliance named United Democratic ForcesUnited Democratic Forces
The United Democratic Forces were a center-right electoral alliance in Bulgaria, led by the Union of Democratic Forces.-Members of the coalition:1997 *Union of Democratic Forces...
was formed around SDS. The same name was later used for other elections and parliamentary groups.
The Blue Coalition
In early 2009 an alliance was formed together with Democrats for a Strong BulgariaDemocrats for a Strong Bulgaria
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria is a political party in Bulgaria established by former Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov . The motto of the party is "For a Strong Bulgaria in Unified Europe".- History :...
for the European Parliament elections
European Parliament election, 2009 (Bulgaria)
The European Parliament election of 2009 in Bulgaria was held on Sunday 7 June 2009 and was the election of the delegation from Bulgaria to the European Parliament. As a result of the Treaty of Nice - that became active in November 2004 - the number of Bulgarian delegates in the European Parliament...
and National Assembly elections
Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2009
Parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on 5 July 2009. The decisive winner of the elections was Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, led by Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov...
. The coalition was named The Blue Coalition
Blue Coalition
The Blue Coalition is a political coalition in Bulgaria, founded in early 2009 by center-right parties, most importantly Union of the Democratic Forces and Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria...
and included some other parties.
List of chairmen
Chairmen of the Coordination Council- Zhelyu ZhelevZhelyu ZhelevZhelyu Mitev Zhelev is a Bulgarian politician and former dissident who was the first democratically elected President of Bulgaria, he is elected for his first mandate by the Parliament for the period 1990 to 1992, in January 1992 general elections are held when he is reelected for his second...
(1989–1990) - Petar Beron (1990)
- Filip DimitrovFilip DimitrovPhilip Dimitrov Dimitrov is a Bulgarian politician, Prime Minister of Bulgaria for the short period 1991-1992, MP in the 36th , 37th and the 40th National Assembly, and MEP from January 2007 to May 2007....
(1990–1994) - Ivan KostovIvan KostovIvan Yordanov Kostov was Prime Minister of Bulgaria from May 1997 to July 2001 and leader of the Union of Democratic Forces between December 1994 and July 2001....
(1994–1997)
Chairmen and Chairwomen of the unified party
- Ivan KostovIvan KostovIvan Yordanov Kostov was Prime Minister of Bulgaria from May 1997 to July 2001 and leader of the Union of Democratic Forces between December 1994 and July 2001....
(1997–2001) - Ekaterina Mikhailova (2001–2002)
- Nadezhda Mikhailova (2002–2005)
- Petar StoyanovPetar StoyanovPetar Stefanov Stoyanov is a former President of Bulgaria from 1997 until 2002. He was elected as a candidate of the Union of Democratic Forces...
(2005–2007) - Plamen Yurukov (2007–2008)
- Martin DimitrovMartin DimitrovMartin Dimitrov is a Bulgarian politician and former Member of the European Parliament. He is the leader of the Union of Democratic Forces, part of the European People's Party–European Democrats.-Career:...
(2008—)
External links
- Official website
- Bulgarian Subject Files - Political Parties: Union of Democratic Forces Open Society Archives, Budapest