Croatian Social Liberal Party

From Freepedia

Croatia

Image:Croatia flag large.png
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Croatia

Constitution
President: Stjepan Mesić
Parliament
Government
Prime Minister: Ivo Sanader
Political parties
Elections:
President: 2005
Parliament: 2003

^edit

Politics Portal
Politics (by country)
State leaders - Legislatures
Elections by country - by calendar
Parties by country - by name

Croatian Social Liberal Party (Croatian: Hrvatska socijalno liberalna stranka, HSLS) is a liberal party in Croatia. The party is a member of Liberal International and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. Its long-time leader is Dražen Budiša and the current president is Ivan Čehok.

The HSLS was the first Croatian political party formed after the reintroduction of multi-party system in 1989 (initially named Hrvatski socijalno liberalni savez). As such it was part of Coalition of People's Accord during the first free elections in 1990. HSLS became the main opposition party after 1992 presidential and parliamentary elections and remained such until late 1990s. A faction split off in 1997 to form the Liberal Party.

In 1998 HSLS created permanent coalition with SDP, which won elections two years later, replaced ruling Croatian Democratic Union and formed the new government together with four other parties.

However, after the party split in 2002 (the forming of Libra), HSLS left the government.

At the last legislative elections, 23 november 2003, an alliance of the HSLS and the Democratic Centre won 4.0 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 151 seats. Two of these seats are held by the HSLS.

HSLS currently supports government of Ivo Sanader.

After 2005 local elections it was announced that there are merger negotiations between HSLS and the Liberal Party. The latter is supposed to dissolve itself, with membership and party infastructure re-joining HSLS in 2006.