Alliance of Free Democrats
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The Alliance of Free Democrats (Hungarian: Szabad Demokraták Szövetsége, or SZDSZ) is a liberal party in Hungary, led by Gábor Kuncze. It is a member of the ELDR and of Liberal International.
It was founded in November 1988 as an opposition party to the communists and draws support mostly from the middle classes, liberal intellectuals and entrepreneurs. Its heyday may be thought to have ended when it suffered heavy losses in the General Election in 1998, and in 2002 it scored only 5.5% of the vote, returning 20 deputies. It is, however, a coalition partner with the ruling Hungarian Socialist Party. In the 2004 European Parliamentary Election it recovered a little to 7.7% and elected 2 MEPs.
Party Leaders
- 23 February 1990 to 23 November 1991 Kis János
- November 23 1991 to November 13 1992 Péter Tölgyessy
- November 13 1992 to April 24 1997 Iván Pető
- April 24 1997 to date Gábor Kuncze
See also
- Liberalism
- Contributions to liberal theory
- Liberalism worldwide
- List of liberal parties
- Liberal democracy
- Liberalism and radicalism in Hungary
External link
- Alliance of Free Democrats official site
