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{{About|a political party in [[Luxembourg]]|otheruses|Democratic Party (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Infobox political party |
{{Infobox political party |
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|country |
| country = Luxembourg |
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| name = Democratic Party |
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| native_name = Demokratesch Partei |
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| abbreviation = DP |
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|colorcode = {{Democratic Party (Luxembourg)/meta/color}} |
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| colorcode = {{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}} |
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| logo = [[Image:Logo of the Democratic Party (Luxembourg).svg|150px]] |
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|leader = [[Xavier Bettel]] |
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| leader = [[Lex Delles]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The party |url=https://www.dp.lu/partei/?lang=en |website=dp.lu | date=2 February 2021 |access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref> |
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|foundation = {{start date|1955|4|24}} |
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| foundation = {{start date|1955|4|24|df=y}} |
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|ideology = [[Liberalism]]<ref name="Nordsieck">[http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/luxembourg.html Parties and Elections in Europe: The database about parliamentary elections and political parties in Europe, by Wolfram Nordsieck]</ref> |
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| ideology = <!-- Don't change your ideology recklessly. (Liberalism / Social liberalism / Pro-Europeanism) --> [[Liberalism in Luxembourg|Liberalism]]<br />[[Social liberalism]]<br />[[Pro-Europeanism]] |
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|headquarters = 9, rue du St. Esprit, L-1475 Luxembourg [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]] |
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| position = <!-- Don't change your political position recklessly. (Centre) -->[[Centrism|Centre]] to [[centre-right politics|centre-right]] |
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|youth_wing = [[Democratic and Liberal Youth]] |
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| headquarters = 2a, rue des Capucins L-1313 Luxembourg [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]] |
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|newspaper = [[Lëtzebuerger Journal]] |
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| youth_wing = [[Democratic and Liberal Youth]] |
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| international = [[Liberal International]] |
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|european = [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party|Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe]] |
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| european = [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party|Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe]] |
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| europarl = [[Renew Europe]] |
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|seats1_title = [[Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg|Chamber of Deputies]] |
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| regional = [[Benelux Parliament|Liberal Group]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beneluxparl.eu/nl/politieke-fracties/ |title= Politieke fracties |website=[[Benelux Parliament]] |language=nl |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref> |
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|seats1 = {{Infobox political party/seats|13|60|hex={{Democratic Party (Luxembourg)/meta/color}}}} |
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| seats1_title = [[Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg|Chamber of Deputies]] |
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|seats2_title = [[European Parliament]] |
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| seats1 = {{Composition bar|14|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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| seats2_title = [[European Parliament]] |
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|colours = [[Blue]] |
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| seats2 = {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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|website = http://www.dp.lu |
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| seats3_title = Local councils |
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| seats3 = {{Composition bar|135|722|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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| seats4_title = [[Benelux Parliament]] |
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| seats4 = {{Composition bar|1|7|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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| colours = {{colorbox|{{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Blue]] |
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| website = http://www.dp.lu |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Democratic Party''' ({{lang-lb|Demokratesch Partei}}, {{lang-fr|Parti |
The '''Democratic Party''' ({{lang-lb|Demokratesch Partei}}, {{lang-fr|Parti démocratique}}, {{lang-de|Demokratische Partei}}), abbreviated to '''DP''', is the major [[liberalism in Luxembourg|social-liberal]]<ref name="Nordsieck">{{cite web|url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/luxembourg.html|title=Luxembourg|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|first=Wolfram|last=Nordsieck|year=2018}}</ref><ref name="Magone2010">{{cite book|author=José Magone|title=Contemporary European Politics: A Comparative Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g73UtvxJsFcC&pg=PA436|access-date=19 July 2013|date=26 August 2010|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-203-84639-1|page=436–}}</ref><ref name="Terzis2007">{{cite book|author=Georgios Terzis|title=European Media Governance: National and Regional Dimensions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=68nbtqst-CsC&pg=PA135|access-date=19 July 2013|year=2007|publisher=Intellect Books|isbn=978-1-84150-192-5|page=135–}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bale |first=Tim |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1256593260 |title=Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right in crisis |date=2021 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |others=[[Cristóbal Rovira|Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser]] |isbn=978-1-009-00686-6 |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |pages=35 |oclc=1256593260}}</ref> [[list of political parties in Luxembourg|political party]] in [[Luxembourg]]. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the [[Centrism|centre]] to [[centre-right politics|centre-right]],<ref name="Dumont 412">Dumont et al (2003), p. 412</ref><ref name=Jacobs1989>{{cite book |title=Western European Political Parties: A Comprehensive Guide |last=Jacobs |first=Francis |year=1989 |publisher=Longman |location=London |isbn=978-0-582-00113-8 |page=243 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WSZnAAAAMAAJ }}</ref><ref name=EIU>{{cite book |title=Country by Country |year=2003 |publisher=Economist Intelligence Unit |location=London |page=96 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l3OFAAAAIAAJ }}</ref><ref name=Stalker2007>{{cite book |title=A Guide to the Counties of the World |last=Stalker |first=Peter |year=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-920271-3 |page=188 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GtztAAAAMAAJ }}</ref><ref name="Colomer2008">{{cite book|author-link1=Josep Colomer|author=Josep M. Colomer|title=Comparative European Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6S5JJkjpzf8C&pg=PA221|access-date=13 July 2013|date=24 July 2008|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-203-94609-1|page=221–}}</ref><ref name="Contiades2012">{{cite book|author=Xenophon Contiades|title=Engineering Constitutional Change: A Comparative Perspective on Europe, Canada and the USA|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgWbThr8LTUC&pg=PA250|access-date=19 July 2013|date=20 December 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-21077-8|page=250–}}</ref> holding moderate [[economic liberalism|market liberal]] views combined with a strong emphasis on [[civil liberties]], [[human rights]], and [[Internationalism (politics)|internationalism]].<ref>Hearl (1988), p. 392–3</ref> |
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Founded in 1955, the party is currently led by [[Xavier Bettel]], |
Founded in 1955, the party is currently led by [[Lex Delles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The party |url=https://www.dp.lu/partei/?lang=en |website=dp.lu | date=2 February 2021 |access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref> Its former president, [[Xavier Bettel]], was the [[Prime Minister of Luxembourg]] from 2013 to 2023, leading the [[Bettel I Government|Bettel I]] and [[Bettel II Government|II]] governments in coalition with the [[Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party]] (LSAP) and [[The Greens (Luxembourg)|The Greens]]. It is the second-largest party in the [[Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg|Chamber of Deputies]], with fourteen seats out of sixty, having won 17.8% of the vote at the [[2023 Luxembourg general election|2023 general election]], and has two seats in the [[European Parliament]] out of six. The party's stronghold is around [[Luxembourg City]];<ref name="Schulze 812"/> it has provided the city's Mayor since 1970. |
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The party has often played the minor coalition partner to the [[Christian Social People's Party]] (CSV). In [[Gaston Thorn]], the DP provided the only Prime |
The party has often played the minor coalition partner to the [[Christian Social People's Party]] (CSV). In [[Gaston Thorn]] and [[Xavier Bettel]], the DP has provided the only Prime Ministers of Luxembourg since 1945 not to be affiliated with the CSV (1974–79 and 2013–present). The party is a member of the [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party|Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe]] (ALDE) and the [[Liberal International]]. The party has been one of the most influential liberal parties in Europe, due to its strength, its regular involvement in government, its role in international institutions, and Thorn's leadership.<ref>Hearl (1988), p. 376</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Emergence as major party=== |
===Emergence as major party=== |
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Although the party traces its history back to the foundation of the [[Liberal League (Luxembourg)|Liberal League]] in 1904, it was founded in its current form on 24 April 1955. It was the successor to the [[Democratic Group]], which had grown out of the major group of war-time liberal resistance fighters, the [[Patriotic and Democratic Group]]. The DP spent the majority of the 1950s and 1960s, under the leadership of [[Lucien Dury]] and then [[Gaston Thorn]], establishing itself as the third major party, ahead of the [[Communist Party of Luxembourg|Communist Party]]. |
Although the party traces its history back to the foundation of the [[Liberal League (Luxembourg)|Liberal League]] in 1904, it was founded in its current form on 24 April 1955. It was the successor to the [[Democratic Group]], which had grown out of the major group of war-time liberal resistance fighters, the [[Patriotic and Democratic Group]]. The DP spent the majority of the 1950s and 1960s, under the leadership of [[Lucien Dury]] and then [[Gaston Thorn]], establishing itself as the third major party, ahead of the [[Communist Party of Luxembourg|Communist Party]]. |
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At the time of its foundation, the party had six seats in the Chamber of Deputies. At [[Luxembourg general election, 1959|the following election in 1959]], the DP won 11 seats, allowing it to serve as a minor role in a [[grand coalition]] with the [[Christian Social People's Party]] (CSV) and [[Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party]] (LSAP). However, [[Luxembourg general election, 1964|in 1964]], the party went back to six seats. In 1968, the DP absorbed the anti-establishment [[Popular Independent Movement]].<ref name="Luxembourg 1968">{{cite web |url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/LUXEMBOURG_1968_E.PDF |title=Luxembourg |
At the time of its foundation, the party had six seats in the Chamber of Deputies. At [[Luxembourg general election, 1959|the following election in 1959]], the DP won 11 seats, allowing it to serve as a minor role in a [[grand coalition]] with the [[Christian Social People's Party]] (CSV) and [[Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party]] (LSAP). However, [[Luxembourg general election, 1964|in 1964]], the party went back to six seats. In 1968, the DP absorbed the anti-establishment [[Popular Independent Movement]].<ref name="Luxembourg 1968">{{cite web |url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/LUXEMBOURG_1968_E.PDF |title=Luxembourg |year=2000 |publisher=[[Inter-Parliamentary Union]] |access-date=17 April 2010}}</ref> In [[Luxembourg general election, 1968|that year's election]], the party benefited from a tide of moderates shifting from an increasingly radical LSAP,<ref name="Luxembourg 1968" /> returned to 11 seats, and consequently entered into government with the CSV under Prime Minister [[Pierre Werner]]. |
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===Government=== |
===Government=== |
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{{main|Thorn Ministry}} |
{{main|Thorn Ministry}} |
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The DP remained in coalition with the CSV until 1974, when it experienced a surge in support in the [[Luxembourg general election, 1974|1974 general election]], to 22.2% of the vote and 14 seats. This political upset gave it the opportunity to enter into coalition negotiations with the second-placed LSAP.<ref>Thewes (2006), p. 182</ref> Surprisingly, in the negotiations, the DP got the upper hand, securing the most ministerial positions and departments, as well as the premiership itself under [[Gaston Thorn]].<ref>Hearl (1988), p. 386</ref> |
The DP remained in coalition with the CSV until 1974, when it experienced a surge in support in the [[Luxembourg general election, 1974|1974 general election]], to 22.2% of the vote and 14 seats. This political upset gave it the opportunity to enter into coalition negotiations with the second-placed LSAP.<ref>Thewes (2006), p. 182</ref> Surprisingly, in the negotiations, the DP got the upper hand, securing the most ministerial positions and departments, as well as the premiership itself under [[Gaston Thorn]].<ref name="Hearl 1988, p. 386">Hearl (1988), p. 386</ref> |
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The formation of Thorn's government, however, coincided with the beginning of an economic crisis,<ref name="Thewes 186">Thewes (2006), p. 186</ref> and the government was occupied mostly with the restructuring of the [[steel industry]] whilst attempting to avoid mass [[unemployment]].<ref name="Thewes 186" /> |
The formation of Thorn's government, however, coincided with the beginning of an economic crisis,<ref name="Thewes 186">Thewes (2006), p. 186</ref> and the government was occupied mostly with the restructuring of the [[steel industry]] whilst attempting to avoid mass [[unemployment]].<ref name="Thewes 186" /> |
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===Since 1979=== |
===Since 1979=== |
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[[Luxembourg general election, 1979|In 1979]], Thorn went head-to-head with Werner, with the LSAP serving a supporting role to the DP.<ref name="Hearl 382">Hearl (1988), p. 382</ref> Both the CSV ended victorious, gaining six seats, and the LSAP's loss of three seats made it impossible for the DP to renew the coalition with them. As a result, Werner formed a coalition with the DP, with Thorn as [[Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Deputy Prime Minister]].<ref>Thewes (2006), p. 192</ref> In the first [[European Parliament election |
[[Luxembourg general election, 1979|In 1979]], Thorn went head-to-head with Werner, with the LSAP serving a supporting role to the DP.<ref name="Hearl 382">Hearl (1988), p. 382</ref> Both the CSV ended victorious, gaining six seats, and the LSAP's loss of three seats made it impossible for the DP to renew the coalition with them. As a result, Werner formed a coalition with the DP, with Thorn as [[Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Deputy Prime Minister]].<ref>Thewes (2006), p. 192</ref> In the first [[1979 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|European election in 1979]], the DP won 2 seats: an achievement that it hasn't matched since. In 1980, Thorn was named the new [[President of the European Commission]], and was replaced by [[Colette Flesch]]. |
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The [[Luxembourg general election, 1984|1984 general election]] saw the DP's first electoral setback in twenty years.<ref name="Hearl 382" /> The DP lost one seat, standing on 14, whilst the resurgence of the LSAP meant it overtook the Democratic Party once again. The LSAP formed a coalition with the CSV, with [[Jacques Poos]] serving as Deputy Prime Minister to [[Jacques Santer]]. This was renewed twice again, and the DP remained out of government until 1999. |
The [[Luxembourg general election, 1984|1984 general election]] saw the DP's first electoral setback in twenty years.<ref name="Hearl 382" /> The DP lost one seat, standing on 14, whilst the resurgence of the LSAP meant it overtook the Democratic Party once again. The LSAP formed a coalition with the CSV, with [[Jacques Poos]] serving as Deputy Prime Minister to [[Jacques Santer]]. This was renewed twice again, and the DP remained out of government until 1999. |
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After the [[Luxembourg general election, 1999|1999 general |
After the [[Luxembourg general election, 1999|1999 general election]], the DP became the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies once again, with 15 seats. It also overtook the LSAP in vote share for the first time ever. This allowed it to displace the LSAP as the CSV's coalition partner, with [[Lydie Polfer]] as Deputy Prime Minister. As a result of the [[Luxembourg general election, 2004|2004 general election]], the DP lost 5 seats, bringing its total down to 10. The party also lost its place as the coalition partner back to the LSAP, and remained in opposition since until 2013. In the [[Luxembourg general election, 2013|2013 general election]], held early due to the collapse of the [[Juncker–Asselborn Ministry II|second Juncker–Asselborn government]], the party acquired 13 deputies with 18.3% of the vote, becoming joint second-largest party along with the LSAP. In October 2013 the DP negotiated a three-party coalition government with the LSAP and [[The Greens (Luxembourg)|The Greens]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Chronicle.lu - LSAP, DP & Déi Gréng to Commence Coalition Negotiations|url = http://www.chronicle.lu/categoriesluxembourgpolitics/item/5049-lsap,-dp-d%C3%A9i-gr%C3%A9ng-to-commence-coalition-negotiations|website = www.chronicle.lu|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref> and on 4 December 2013 the [[Bettel-Schneider Ministry|Bettel-Schneider government]] was sworn in, with DP leader [[Xavier Bettel]] serving as Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title = New Luxemburg Government Sworn In|url = http://brusselsdiplomatic.com/2013/12/04/new-luxemburg-government-sworn-in/|website = BrusselsDiplomatic|access-date = 16 December 2015|date = 4 December 2013}}</ref> |
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==Ideology== |
==Ideology== |
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The Democratic Party sits on the moderate [[centre-right]] of the political spectrum in Luxembourg. Since the late 1960s, thanks to the [[Secularization|secularisation]] of Luxembourg and the CSV, the party has moved gradually towards the centre, to allow it to form coalitions with either the CSV or LSAP.<ref name="Dumont 400">Dumont et al (2003), p. 400</ref><ref name="Hearl 255">Hearl (1987), p. 255</ref> Now, it could be seen to be to the left of the CSV, in the [[centrism|centre]], and with more in common with the British [[Liberal Democrats]] or German [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] than with liberal parties in Belgium or the Netherlands.<ref name="Dumont 400" /><ref name="Hearl 256">Hearl (1987), p. 256</ref> However, the CSV usually prefers forming coalitions with the LSAP to those with the DP, pushing the DP to the economically liberal right.<ref name="Dumont 412" /> |
The Democratic Party sits on the moderate [[centre-right]] of the political spectrum in Luxembourg. Since the late 1960s, thanks to the [[Secularization|secularisation]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Streaming now on RTL PLAY: Lydie Polfer interviewed on brand new episode of Conversations With Christos |url=https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2027519.html |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=today.rtl.lu |language=en}}</ref> of Luxembourg and the CSV, the party has moved gradually towards the centre, to allow it to form coalitions with either the CSV or LSAP.<ref name="Dumont 400">Dumont et al (2003), p. 400</ref><ref name="Hearl 255">Hearl (1987), p. 255</ref> Now, it could be seen to be to the left of the CSV, in the [[centrism|centre]], and with more in common with the British [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] or German [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] than with liberal parties in Belgium or the Netherlands.<ref name="Dumont 400" /><ref name="Hearl 256">Hearl (1987), p. 256</ref> However, the CSV usually prefers forming coalitions with the LSAP to those with the DP, pushing the DP to the economically liberal right.<ref name="Dumont 412" /> |
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In economic policies, the DP is a strong supporter of [[private property]] rights, [[free trade]], and the [[free market]], although under Thorn's government, the DP greatly increased public sector employment.<ref name="Hearl 392" /> Taxation plays a major role in the party platform |
In economic policies, the DP is a strong supporter of [[private property]] rights, [[free trade]], and the [[free market]], although under Thorn's government, the DP greatly increased public sector employment.<ref name="Hearl 392" /> Taxation plays a major role in the party platform. It is also a supporter of agriculture, particularly the wine industry.<ref name="Hearl 392" /> It long advocated the advancement of [[nuclear power]], but scrapped plans to build a plant at [[Remerschen]], and now supports [[renewable energy|renewable]] alternatives, although not opposing nuclear power in principle.<ref name="Jacobs 244" /> Indicating its priorities, when in government, the DP has usually or always controlled ministries in charge of [[Minister for Transport of Luxembourg|Transport]], [[Minister for Public Works of Luxembourg|Public Works]], the [[Minister for the Middle Class of Luxembourg|Middle Class]], the [[Minister for the Civil Service of Luxembourg|Civil Service]], and [[Minister for Energy of Luxembourg|Energy]].<ref name="Dumont 424" /> |
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The DP is the most outspoken party in support of civil liberties. Between 1974 and 1979, it legalised abortion and divorce, and abolished the death penalty.<ref name="Thewes 188" /> It also focuses its attention on the issues of minority groups, particularly migrant groups, but also [[homosexuality|homosexuals]] and [[single mother]]s.<ref name="Hearl 392" /> Unlike the Catholic CSV, the DP is notably [[anti-clericalism|anti-clerical]], which gives it more importance than its electoral performances would suggest.<ref name="Hearl 255" /> |
The DP is the most outspoken party in support of civil liberties. Between 1974 and 1979, it legalised abortion and divorce, and abolished the death penalty.<ref name="Thewes 188" /> It also focuses its attention on the issues of minority groups, particularly migrant groups, but also [[homosexuality|homosexuals]] and [[single mother]]s.<ref name="Hearl 392" /> Unlike the Catholic CSV, the DP is notably [[anti-clericalism|anti-clerical]], which gives it more importance than its electoral performances would suggest.<ref name="Hearl 255" /> |
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==Political support== |
==Political support== |
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{{update|section|date=March 2024}} |
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The DP has been consistent in its advocacy of the [[middle class]],<ref name="Hearl 392">Hearl (1988), p. 392</ref> and consequently has a very distinctive class profile.<ref name="Hearl 390">Hearl (1988), p. 390</ref> When in government, the DP has always held the office of [[Minister for the Middle Class of Luxembourg|Minister for the Middle Class]].<ref name="Dumont 424">Dumont et al (2003), p. 424</ref> Most DP supporters are [[civil servant]]s, [[white-collar worker]]s, [[self-employed]] people, and those on high incomes.<ref name="Schulze 812">Schulze (2007), p. 812</ref> This group has been fast-growing, further focusing the party's electoral socio-economic appeal.<ref name="Hearl 256" /> |
The DP has been consistent in its advocacy of the [[middle class]],<ref name="Hearl 392">Hearl (1988), p. 392</ref> and consequently has a very distinctive class profile.<ref name="Hearl 390">Hearl (1988), p. 390</ref> When in government, the DP has always held the office of [[Minister for the Middle Class of Luxembourg|Minister for the Middle Class]].<ref name="Dumont 424">Dumont et al (2003), p. 424</ref> Most DP supporters are [[civil servant]]s, [[white-collar worker]]s, [[self-employed]] people, and those on high incomes.<ref name="Schulze 812">Schulze (2007), p. 812</ref> This group has been fast-growing, further focusing the party's electoral socio-economic appeal.<ref name="Hearl 256" /> |
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The party's most successful areas electorally are [[Luxembourg City]] and its wealthy suburbs, where those groups are concentrated.<ref name="Hearl 256" /> The [[Mayor of Luxembourg City]] has come from the DP since 1970, and the party and its liberal predecessors have been out of the office for only seven years since the foundation of the [[Liberal League (Luxembourg)|Liberal League]] in 1904. The city lies in the [[Circonscription Centre (Luxembourg)|Centre]] constituency, where the DP challenges the CSV for the most seats. However, the party also has some traditional following in [[Circonscription Est (Luxembourg)|Est]] and the [[Circonscription Nord (Luxembourg)|Nord]],<ref name="Hearl 256" /> consistently coming second in each. |
The party's most successful areas electorally are [[Luxembourg City]] and its wealthy suburbs, where those groups are concentrated.<ref name="Hearl 256" /> The [[Mayor of Luxembourg City]] has come from the DP since 1970, and the party and its liberal predecessors have been out of the office for only seven years since the foundation of the [[Liberal League (Luxembourg)|Liberal League]] in 1904. The city lies in the [[Circonscription Centre (Luxembourg)|Centre]] constituency, where the DP challenges the CSV for the most seats. However, the party also has some traditional following in [[Circonscription Est (Luxembourg)|Est]] and the [[Circonscription Nord (Luxembourg)|Nord]],<ref name="Hearl 256" /> consistently coming second in each. |
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The party has notably more support amongst young people,<ref name="Hearl 390" /> whilst the CSV, LSAP, and (recently) the [[Alternative Democratic Reform Party]] tend to receive the votes of older people.<ref name="Schulze 812" /> Unlike the CSV and LSAP, the DP |
The party has notably more support amongst young people,<ref name="Hearl 390" /> whilst the CSV, LSAP, and (recently) the [[Alternative Democratic Reform Party]] tend to receive the votes of older people.<ref name="Schulze 812" /> Unlike the CSV and LSAP, the DP is not affiliated to a major [[trade union]]. The party is particularly popular amongst male voters.<ref name="Schulze 812" /> Despite its [[anti-clericalism]], DP voters are no less religiously affiliated than the general population.<ref name="Hearl 390" /> |
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==Election results== |
==Election results== |
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===Chamber of Deputies=== |
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Below are charts of the results that the Democratic Party (and its post-war predecessors) has secured in the [[Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg|Chamber of Deputies]] at each election. Timelines showing the number of seats and percentage of votes won are on the right. |
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{| class=wikitable style="text-align: right;" |
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{{Multicol|82%}} |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Year |
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! Vote % |
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! Place |
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! Seats |
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! Place |
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! Cabinet |
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|- |
|- |
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! Election |
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| [[Luxembourg general election, 1945|1945]] |
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! Votes |
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| |
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! % |
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! Elected seats |
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| 9 |
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! Seats after |
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| 3rd |
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! +/– |
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| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
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! Government |
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|- |
|- |
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! [[Luxembourg general election, 1945|1945]] |
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| |
| 366,860 |
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| 18.0 (#3) |
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| |
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| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|9|51|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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| 9 |
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| |
| New |
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| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
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| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
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|- |
|- |
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! [[Luxembourg general election, 1948|1948]]{{efn|name=Partial|Partial election. Only half of the seats were up for renewal.}} |
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| |
| 97,415 |
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| 11.6 (#3) |
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| |
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| {{Composition bar|3|26|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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| 8 {{decrease}} |
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| {{Composition bar|9|51|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
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| 3rd |
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| {{steady}} 0 |
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| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
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| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
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|- |
|- |
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! [[Luxembourg general election, 1951|1951]]{{efn|name=Partial}} |
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| |
| 215,511 |
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| 20.9 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{Composition bar|5|26|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 6 {{decrease}} |
|||
| {{Composition bar|8|52|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{decrease}} 1 |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1954|1954]] |
|||
| 255,522 |
|||
| 18.5 {{increase}} |
|||
| 12.3 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|6|52|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 11 {{increase}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 2 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1959|1959]] |
|||
| 448,387 |
|||
| 10.6 {{decrease}} |
|||
| 20.3 (#3) |
|||
| 4th {{decrease}} |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|11|52|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 6 {{decrease}} |
|||
| {{increase}} 5 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1964|1964]] |
|||
| 280,644 |
|||
| 16.5 {{increase}} |
|||
| 12.2 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd {{increase}} |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|6|56|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 11 {{increase}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 5 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1968|1968]] |
|||
| 430,262 |
|||
| 22.2 {{increase}} |
|||
| 18.0 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|11|56|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 14 {{increase}} |
|||
| {{increase}} 5 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1974|1974]] |
|||
| 668,043 |
|||
| 21.3 {{decrease}} |
|||
| 23.3 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|14|59|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 15 {{increase}} |
|||
| |
| {{increase}} 3 |
||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1979|1979]] |
|||
| 648,404 |
|||
| 18.7 {{decrease}} |
|||
| 21.9 (#2) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|15|59|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 14 {{decrease}} |
|||
| |
| {{increase}} 1 |
||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1984|1984]] |
|||
| 614,627 |
|||
| 17.2 {{decrease}} |
|||
| 20.4 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|14|64|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 11 |
|||
| {{decrease}} 1 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1989|1989]] |
|||
| 498,862 |
|||
| 19.3 {{increase}} |
|||
| 17.2 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|11|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 12 {{increase}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 3 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1994|1994]] |
|||
| 548,246 |
|||
| 22.4 {{increase}} |
|||
| 19.3 (#3) |
|||
| 2nd {{increase}} |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|12|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 15 {{increase}} |
|||
| |
| {{increase}} 1 |
||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 1999|1999]] |
|||
| 632,707 |
|||
| 16.1 {{decrease}} |
|||
| 22.4 (#2) |
|||
| 3rd {{decrease}} |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|15|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 10 {{decrease}} |
|||
| |
| {{increase}} 3 |
||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 2004|2004]] |
|||
| 460,601 |
|||
| 15.0 {{decrease}} |
|||
| 16.1 (#3) |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|10|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| 9 {{decrease}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 5 |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
| style="background-color:#EE7777" | No |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 2009|2009]] |
|||
| 432,820 |
|||
| 15.0 (#3) |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|9|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 1 |
|||
| {{no2|Opposition}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 2013|2013]] |
|||
| 597,879 |
|||
| 18.3 (#3) |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|13|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{increase}} 4 |
|||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[Luxembourg general election, 2018|2018]] |
|||
| 597,080 |
|||
| 16.9 (#3) |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|12|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 1 |
|||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2023 Luxembourg general election|2023]] |
|||
| 703,833 |
|||
| 18.7 (#3) |
|||
| colspan=2|{{Composition bar|14|60|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=DP gain two seats in Luxembourg elections |url=https://www.aldeparty.eu/dp_gain_two_seats_in_luxembourg_elections |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=ALDE Party |language=en}}</ref> |
|||
| {{increase}} 2 |
|||
| {{yes2|Coalition}} |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[Luxembourg general election, 2013|2013]] |
|||
| 18.2 {{increase}} |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| 13 {{increase}} |
|||
| 3rd |
|||
| style="background-color:#77EE77" | Yes |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
{{ |
{{notelist}} |
||
<timeline> |
<timeline> |
||
ImageSize = width: |
ImageSize = width:600 height:150 |
||
PlotArea = width: |
PlotArea = width:500 height:125 left:25 bottom:20 |
||
AlignBars = justify |
AlignBars = justify |
||
Colors = |
Colors = |
||
id:DP value:rgb(0 |
id:DP value:rgb(0,0.17,0.31) |
||
DateFormat = yyyy |
DateFormat = yyyy |
||
Period = from:0 till: |
Period = from:0 till:25 |
||
TimeAxis = orientation:vertical |
TimeAxis = orientation:vertical |
||
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:0 |
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:0 |
||
Line 205: | Line 232: | ||
PlotData= |
PlotData= |
||
bar:Seats color:DP width:24 mark:(line,white) align:left fontsize:S |
bar:Seats color:DP width:24 mark:(line,white) align:left fontsize:S |
||
bar:1945 color:DP from:start till:9 text:9 align:center |
bar:1945 color:DP from:start till:9 text:9 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1948 color:DP from:start till:9 text:9 align:center |
bar:1948 color:DP from:start till:9 text:9 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1951 color:DP from:start till:8 text:8 align:center |
bar:1951 color:DP from:start till:8 text:8 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1954 color:DP from:start till:6 text:6 align:center |
bar:1954 color:DP from:start till:6 text:6 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1959 color:DP from:start till:11 text:11 align:center |
bar:1959 color:DP from:start till:11 text:11 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1964 color:DP from:start till:6 text:6 align:center |
bar:1964 color:DP from:start till:6 text:6 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1968 color:DP from:start till:11 text:11 align:center |
bar:1968 color:DP from:start till:11 text:11 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1974 color:DP from:start till:14 text:14 align:center |
bar:1974 color:DP from:start till:14 text:14 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1979 color:DP from:start till:15 text:15 align:center |
bar:1979 color:DP from:start till:15 text:15 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1984 color:DP from:start till:14 text:14 align:center |
bar:1984 color:DP from:start till:14 text:14 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1989 color:DP from:start till:11 text:11 align:center |
bar:1989 color:DP from:start till:11 text:11 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1994 color:DP from:start till:12 text:12 align:center |
bar:1994 color:DP from:start till:12 text:12 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1999 color:DP from:start till:15 text:15 align:center |
bar:1999 color:DP from:start till:15 text:15 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2004 color:DP from:start till:10 text:10 align:center |
bar:2004 color:DP from:start till:10 text:10 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2009 color:DP from:start till:9 text:9 align:center |
bar:2009 color:DP from:start till:9 text:9 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2013 color:DP from:start till:13 text:13 align:center |
bar:2013 color:DP from:start till:13 text:13 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2018 color:DP from:start till:12 text:12 textcolor:white align:center |
|||
bar:2023 color:DP from:start till:14 text:14 textcolor:white align:center |
|||
</timeline> |
</timeline> |
||
<timeline> |
<timeline> |
||
ImageSize = width: |
ImageSize = width:600 height:150 |
||
PlotArea = width: |
PlotArea = width:500 height:125 left:25 bottom:20 |
||
AlignBars = justify |
AlignBars = justify |
||
Colors = |
Colors = |
||
id:DP value:rgb(0 |
id:DP value:rgb(0,0.17,0.31) |
||
DateFormat = yyyy |
DateFormat = yyyy |
||
Line 237: | Line 266: | ||
PlotData= |
PlotData= |
||
bar: |
bar:Seats color:DP width:24 mark:(line,white) align:left fontsize:S |
||
bar:1945 |
bar:1945 color:DP from:start till:180 text:18.0 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1948 |
bar:1948 color:DP from:start till:116 text:11.6 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1951 |
bar:1951 color:DP from:start till:209 text:20.9 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1954 |
bar:1954 color:DP from:start till:123 text:12.3 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1959 |
bar:1959 color:DP from:start till:203 text:20.3 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1964 |
bar:1964 color:DP from:start till:122 text:12.2 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1968 |
bar:1968 color:DP from:start till:180 text:18.0 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1974 |
bar:1974 color:DP from:start till:233 text:23.3 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1979 |
bar:1979 color:DP from:start till:219 text:21.9 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1984 |
bar:1984 color:DP from:start till:204 text:20.4 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1989 |
bar:1989 color:DP from:start till:172 text:17.2 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1994 |
bar:1994 color:DP from:start till:193 text:19.3 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:1999 |
bar:1999 color:DP from:start till:224 text:22.4 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2004 |
bar:2004 color:DP from:start till:161 text:16.1 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2009 |
bar:2009 color:DP from:start till:150 text:15.0 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2013 |
bar:2013 color:DP from:start till:183 text:18.3 textcolor:white align:center |
||
bar:2018 color:DP from:start till:169 text:16.9 textcolor:white align:center |
|||
bar:2023 color:DP from:start till:187 text:18.7 textcolor:white align:center |
|||
</timeline> |
</timeline> |
||
{{Multicol-end}} |
|||
===European Parliament=== |
|||
==Presidents== |
|||
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: right;" |
|||
The leader of the party is the President. Below is a list of Presidents of the Democratic Party, and its predecessors, since 1948. |
|||
|- |
|||
! Election |
|||
! Votes |
|||
! % |
|||
! Seats |
|||
! +/– |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[1979 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|1979]] |
|||
| 274,307 |
|||
| 28.1 (#2) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|2|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[1984 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|1984]] |
|||
| 218,481 |
|||
| 22.1 (#3) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 1 |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[1989 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|1989]] |
|||
| 198,254 |
|||
| 19.9 (#3) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{steady}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[1994 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|1994]] |
|||
| 190,977 |
|||
| 18.8 (#3) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{steady}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[1999 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|1999]] |
|||
| 207,379 |
|||
| 20.5 (#2) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{steady}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2004 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|2004]] |
|||
| 162,064 |
|||
| 14.9 (#4) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{steady}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2009 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|2009]] |
|||
| 210,107 |
|||
| 18.7 (#3) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{steady}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2014 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|2014]] |
|||
| 173,255 |
|||
| 14.8 (#3) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{steady}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2019 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|2019]] |
|||
| 268,910 |
|||
| 21.4 (#1) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|2|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{increase}} 1 |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2024 European Parliament election in Luxembourg|2024]] |
|||
| 253,344 |
|||
| 18.9 (#3) |
|||
| {{Composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Luxembourg)}}}} |
|||
| {{decrease}} 1 |
|||
|- |
|||
|} |
|||
==Presidents== |
|||
The leader of the party is the president. Below is a list of presidents of the Democratic Party, and its predecessors, since 1948. |
|||
* [[Lucien Dury]] (1948–1952) |
* [[Lucien Dury]] (1948–1952) |
||
* [[Eugène Schaus]] (1952–1959) |
* [[Eugène Schaus]] (1952–1959) |
||
Line 269: | Line 369: | ||
* [[Charles Goerens]] (1989–1994) |
* [[Charles Goerens]] (1989–1994) |
||
* [[Lydie Polfer]] (1994–2004) |
* [[Lydie Polfer]] (1994–2004) |
||
* [[Claude Meisch]] ( |
* [[Claude Meisch]] (2004–2013) |
||
* [[Xavier Bettel]] ( |
* [[Xavier Bettel]] (2013–2015) |
||
* [[Corinne Cahen]] (2015–2022) |
|||
* [[Lex Delles]] (2022–) |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Line 279: | Line 381: | ||
==References== |
==References== |
||
* {{cite book |title=Coalition Governments in Western Europe | |
* {{cite book |title=Coalition Governments in Western Europe |first1=Patrick |last1=Dumont |first2=Lieven |last2=De Winter |editor1-last= Wolfgang C. |editor1-first=Müller |editor2-last=Strom |editor2-first=Kaare |year=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-829761-1 |chapter=Luxembourg: Stable coalition in a pivotal party system |pages=399–432 }} |
||
* {{cite book |title=Ideology, Strategy, and Party Change |first=Derek |last=Hearl |editor1-last=Budge |editor1-first=Ian |editor2-last=Robertson |editor2-first=David |editor3-last=Hearl|editor3-first=Derek |year=1987 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=978-0-521-30648-5 |chapter=Luxembourg 1945–82: Dimensions and Strategies |pages=254–69 }} |
* {{cite book |title=Ideology, Strategy, and Party Change |first=Derek |last=Hearl |editor1-last=Budge |editor1-first=Ian |editor2-last=Robertson |editor2-first=David |editor3-last=Hearl|editor3-first=Derek |year=1987 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=978-0-521-30648-5 |chapter=Luxembourg 1945–82: Dimensions and Strategies |pages=254–69 }} |
||
* {{cite book |title=Liberal Parties in Western Europe |last=Hearl |first=Derek |editor1-last=Kirchner |editor1-first=Emil Joseph |year=1988 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=978-0-521-32394-9 |pages=376–95 |chapter=The Luxembourg Liberal Party }} |
* {{cite book |title=Liberal Parties in Western Europe |last=Hearl |first=Derek |editor1-last=Kirchner |editor1-first=Emil Joseph |year=1988 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=978-0-521-32394-9 |pages=376–95 |chapter=The Luxembourg Liberal Party }} |
||
* {{cite book | last=Thewes | first=Guy | title=Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 | url=http://www.gouvernement.lu/publications/gouvernement/gouvernements_depuis_1848/Les_gouv_2006.pdf | |
* {{cite book | last=Thewes | first=Guy | title=Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 | url=http://www.gouvernement.lu/publications/gouvernement/gouvernements_depuis_1848/Les_gouv_2006.pdf | access-date=13 April 2010 | edition=2006 | date=October 2006 | publisher=Service Information et Presse | location=Luxembourg City | language=fr | isbn=978-2-87999-156-6 }} |
||
* {{cite book |title=The Handbook of West European Pension Politics |first=Isabelle |last=Schulze |editor1-last=Immergut |editor1-first=Ellen M. |editor2-last=Anderson |editor2-first=Karen M. |editor3-last=Schulze |editor3-first=Isabelle |year=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-929147-2 |chapter=Luxembourg: An Electoral System with Panache |pages=804–53 }} |
* {{cite book |title=The Handbook of West European Pension Politics |first=Isabelle |last=Schulze |editor1-last=Immergut |editor1-first=Ellen M. |editor2-last=Anderson |editor2-first=Karen M. |editor3-last=Schulze |editor3-first=Isabelle |year=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-929147-2 |chapter=Luxembourg: An Electoral System with Panache |pages=804–53 }} |
||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
* |
*{{Official|http://www.dp.lu/}} |
||
{{Renew Europe}} |
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{{ELDR member parties}} |
{{ELDR member parties}} |
||
{{Luxembourgian political parties}} |
{{Luxembourgian political parties}} |
||
[[Category:Political parties established in 1955]] |
|||
[[Category:Democratic Party (Luxembourg)| ]] |
[[Category:Democratic Party (Luxembourg)| ]] |
||
[[Category:ELDR member parties]] |
|||
[[Category:1955 establishments in Luxembourg]] |
[[Category:1955 establishments in Luxembourg]] |
||
[[Category:Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party member parties]] |
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[[Category:Liberal International]] |
|||
[[Category:Political parties established in 1955]] |
Latest revision as of 10:20, 11 June 2024
Democratic Party Demokratesch Partei | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | DP |
Leader | Lex Delles[1] |
Founded | 24 April 1955 |
Headquarters | 2a, rue des Capucins L-1313 Luxembourg Luxembourg |
Youth wing | Democratic and Liberal Youth |
Ideology | Liberalism Social liberalism Pro-Europeanism |
Political position | Centre to centre-right |
Regional affiliation | Liberal Group[2] |
European affiliation | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe |
European Parliament group | Renew Europe |
International affiliation | Liberal International |
Colours | Blue |
Chamber of Deputies | 14 / 60 |
European Parliament | 1 / 6 |
Local councils | 135 / 722 |
Benelux Parliament | 1 / 7 |
Website | |
http://www.dp.lu | |
The Democratic Party (Luxembourgish: Demokratesch Partei, French: Parti démocratique, German: Demokratische Partei), abbreviated to DP, is the major social-liberal[3][4][5][6] political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre to centre-right,[7][8][9][10][11][12] holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.[13]
Founded in 1955, the party is currently led by Lex Delles.[14] Its former president, Xavier Bettel, was the Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 2013 to 2023, leading the Bettel I and II governments in coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) and The Greens. It is the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies, with fourteen seats out of sixty, having won 17.8% of the vote at the 2023 general election, and has two seats in the European Parliament out of six. The party's stronghold is around Luxembourg City;[15] it has provided the city's Mayor since 1970.
The party has often played the minor coalition partner to the Christian Social People's Party (CSV). In Gaston Thorn and Xavier Bettel, the DP has provided the only Prime Ministers of Luxembourg since 1945 not to be affiliated with the CSV (1974–79 and 2013–present). The party is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the Liberal International. The party has been one of the most influential liberal parties in Europe, due to its strength, its regular involvement in government, its role in international institutions, and Thorn's leadership.[16]
History
[edit]Emergence as major party
[edit]Although the party traces its history back to the foundation of the Liberal League in 1904, it was founded in its current form on 24 April 1955. It was the successor to the Democratic Group, which had grown out of the major group of war-time liberal resistance fighters, the Patriotic and Democratic Group. The DP spent the majority of the 1950s and 1960s, under the leadership of Lucien Dury and then Gaston Thorn, establishing itself as the third major party, ahead of the Communist Party.
At the time of its foundation, the party had six seats in the Chamber of Deputies. At the following election in 1959, the DP won 11 seats, allowing it to serve as a minor role in a grand coalition with the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP). However, in 1964, the party went back to six seats. In 1968, the DP absorbed the anti-establishment Popular Independent Movement.[17] In that year's election, the party benefited from a tide of moderates shifting from an increasingly radical LSAP,[17] returned to 11 seats, and consequently entered into government with the CSV under Prime Minister Pierre Werner.
Government
[edit]The DP remained in coalition with the CSV until 1974, when it experienced a surge in support in the 1974 general election, to 22.2% of the vote and 14 seats. This political upset gave it the opportunity to enter into coalition negotiations with the second-placed LSAP.[18] Surprisingly, in the negotiations, the DP got the upper hand, securing the most ministerial positions and departments, as well as the premiership itself under Gaston Thorn.[19]
The formation of Thorn's government, however, coincided with the beginning of an economic crisis,[20] and the government was occupied mostly with the restructuring of the steel industry whilst attempting to avoid mass unemployment.[20]
Despite this, the coalition managed to push through major reforms of social policy,[21] including abolishing capital punishment (1974), allowing no-fault divorce (1975) and broadening at-fault divorce (1978), and legalising abortion (1978).[22] In 1977, the government abandoned plans to build a nuclear power plant at Remerschen,[22] of which the DP had been the primary advocate.[23] When PM, in 1975, Thorn sat as President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Since 1979
[edit]In 1979, Thorn went head-to-head with Werner, with the LSAP serving a supporting role to the DP.[24] Both the CSV ended victorious, gaining six seats, and the LSAP's loss of three seats made it impossible for the DP to renew the coalition with them. As a result, Werner formed a coalition with the DP, with Thorn as Deputy Prime Minister.[25] In the first European election in 1979, the DP won 2 seats: an achievement that it hasn't matched since. In 1980, Thorn was named the new President of the European Commission, and was replaced by Colette Flesch.
The 1984 general election saw the DP's first electoral setback in twenty years.[24] The DP lost one seat, standing on 14, whilst the resurgence of the LSAP meant it overtook the Democratic Party once again. The LSAP formed a coalition with the CSV, with Jacques Poos serving as Deputy Prime Minister to Jacques Santer. This was renewed twice again, and the DP remained out of government until 1999.
After the 1999 general election, the DP became the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies once again, with 15 seats. It also overtook the LSAP in vote share for the first time ever. This allowed it to displace the LSAP as the CSV's coalition partner, with Lydie Polfer as Deputy Prime Minister. As a result of the 2004 general election, the DP lost 5 seats, bringing its total down to 10. The party also lost its place as the coalition partner back to the LSAP, and remained in opposition since until 2013. In the 2013 general election, held early due to the collapse of the second Juncker–Asselborn government, the party acquired 13 deputies with 18.3% of the vote, becoming joint second-largest party along with the LSAP. In October 2013 the DP negotiated a three-party coalition government with the LSAP and The Greens,[26] and on 4 December 2013 the Bettel-Schneider government was sworn in, with DP leader Xavier Bettel serving as Prime Minister.[27]
Ideology
[edit]The Democratic Party sits on the moderate centre-right of the political spectrum in Luxembourg. Since the late 1960s, thanks to the secularisation[28] of Luxembourg and the CSV, the party has moved gradually towards the centre, to allow it to form coalitions with either the CSV or LSAP.[29][30] Now, it could be seen to be to the left of the CSV, in the centre, and with more in common with the British Liberal Democrats or German Free Democratic Party than with liberal parties in Belgium or the Netherlands.[29][31] However, the CSV usually prefers forming coalitions with the LSAP to those with the DP, pushing the DP to the economically liberal right.[7]
In economic policies, the DP is a strong supporter of private property rights, free trade, and the free market, although under Thorn's government, the DP greatly increased public sector employment.[32] Taxation plays a major role in the party platform. It is also a supporter of agriculture, particularly the wine industry.[32] It long advocated the advancement of nuclear power, but scrapped plans to build a plant at Remerschen, and now supports renewable alternatives, although not opposing nuclear power in principle.[23] Indicating its priorities, when in government, the DP has usually or always controlled ministries in charge of Transport, Public Works, the Middle Class, the Civil Service, and Energy.[33]
The DP is the most outspoken party in support of civil liberties. Between 1974 and 1979, it legalised abortion and divorce, and abolished the death penalty.[22] It also focuses its attention on the issues of minority groups, particularly migrant groups, but also homosexuals and single mothers.[32] Unlike the Catholic CSV, the DP is notably anti-clerical, which gives it more importance than its electoral performances would suggest.[30]
The DP has led the CSV and LSAP in becoming more internationalist in outlook, focusing on the European Union, environmentalism, and advocacy of human rights abroad.[32] It is the most vocal supporter of European integration, even in a particularly pro-EU country.[34] The party puts great emphasis on the role of the United Nations, and Thorn served as President of the UN General Assembly. The party is centrist on national security, supporting membership of NATO, but having worked to end conscription.[34]
Political support
[edit]The DP has been consistent in its advocacy of the middle class,[32] and consequently has a very distinctive class profile.[35] When in government, the DP has always held the office of Minister for the Middle Class.[33] Most DP supporters are civil servants, white-collar workers, self-employed people, and those on high incomes.[15] This group has been fast-growing, further focusing the party's electoral socio-economic appeal.[31]
The party's most successful areas electorally are Luxembourg City and its wealthy suburbs, where those groups are concentrated.[31] The Mayor of Luxembourg City has come from the DP since 1970, and the party and its liberal predecessors have been out of the office for only seven years since the foundation of the Liberal League in 1904. The city lies in the Centre constituency, where the DP challenges the CSV for the most seats. However, the party also has some traditional following in Est and the Nord,[31] consistently coming second in each.
The party has notably more support amongst young people,[35] whilst the CSV, LSAP, and (recently) the Alternative Democratic Reform Party tend to receive the votes of older people.[15] Unlike the CSV and LSAP, the DP is not affiliated to a major trade union. The party is particularly popular amongst male voters.[15] Despite its anti-clericalism, DP voters are no less religiously affiliated than the general population.[35]
Election results
[edit]Chamber of Deputies
[edit]Election | Votes | % | Elected seats | Seats after | +/– | Government |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1945 | 366,860 | 18.0 (#3) | 9 / 51
|
New | Coalition | |
1948[a] | 97,415 | 11.6 (#3) | 3 / 26
|
9 / 51
|
0 | Coalition |
1951[a] | 215,511 | 20.9 (#3) | 5 / 26
|
8 / 52
|
1 | Opposition |
1954 | 255,522 | 12.3 (#3) | 6 / 52
|
2 | Opposition | |
1959 | 448,387 | 20.3 (#3) | 11 / 52
|
5 | Coalition | |
1964 | 280,644 | 12.2 (#3) | 6 / 56
|
5 | Opposition | |
1968 | 430,262 | 18.0 (#3) | 11 / 56
|
5 | Coalition | |
1974 | 668,043 | 23.3 (#3) | 14 / 59
|
3 | Coalition | |
1979 | 648,404 | 21.9 (#2) | 15 / 59
|
1 | Coalition | |
1984 | 614,627 | 20.4 (#3) | 14 / 64
|
1 | Opposition | |
1989 | 498,862 | 17.2 (#3) | 11 / 60
|
3 | Opposition | |
1994 | 548,246 | 19.3 (#3) | 12 / 60
|
1 | Opposition | |
1999 | 632,707 | 22.4 (#2) | 15 / 60
|
3 | Coalition | |
2004 | 460,601 | 16.1 (#3) | 10 / 60
|
5 | Opposition | |
2009 | 432,820 | 15.0 (#3) | 9 / 60
|
1 | Opposition | |
2013 | 597,879 | 18.3 (#3) | 13 / 60
|
4 | Coalition | |
2018 | 597,080 | 16.9 (#3) | 12 / 60
|
1 | Coalition | |
2023 | 703,833 | 18.7 (#3) | 14 / 60 [36]
|
2 | Coalition |
European Parliament
[edit]Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | 274,307 | 28.1 (#2) | 2 / 6
|
|
1984 | 218,481 | 22.1 (#3) | 1 / 6
|
1 |
1989 | 198,254 | 19.9 (#3) | 1 / 6
|
|
1994 | 190,977 | 18.8 (#3) | 1 / 6
|
|
1999 | 207,379 | 20.5 (#2) | 1 / 6
|
|
2004 | 162,064 | 14.9 (#4) | 1 / 6
|
|
2009 | 210,107 | 18.7 (#3) | 1 / 6
|
|
2014 | 173,255 | 14.8 (#3) | 1 / 6
|
|
2019 | 268,910 | 21.4 (#1) | 2 / 6
|
1 |
2024 | 253,344 | 18.9 (#3) | 1 / 6
|
1 |
Presidents
[edit]The leader of the party is the president. Below is a list of presidents of the Democratic Party, and its predecessors, since 1948.
- Lucien Dury (1948–1952)
- Eugène Schaus (1952–1959)
- Lucien Dury (1959–1962)
- Gaston Thorn (1962–1969)
- René Konen (1969–1971)
- Gaston Thorn (1971–1980)
- Colette Flesch (1980–1989)
- Charles Goerens (1989–1994)
- Lydie Polfer (1994–2004)
- Claude Meisch (2004–2013)
- Xavier Bettel (2013–2015)
- Corinne Cahen (2015–2022)
- Lex Delles (2022–)
See also
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]- ^ "The party". dp.lu. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Politieke fracties". Benelux Parliament (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2018). "Luxembourg". Parties and Elections in Europe.
- ^ José Magone (26 August 2010). Contemporary European Politics: A Comparative Introduction. Routledge. p. 436–. ISBN 978-0-203-84639-1. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
- ^ Georgios Terzis (2007). European Media Governance: National and Regional Dimensions. Intellect Books. p. 135–. ISBN 978-1-84150-192-5. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
- ^ Bale, Tim (2021). Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right in crisis. Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-009-00686-6. OCLC 1256593260.
- ^ a b Dumont et al (2003), p. 412
- ^ Jacobs, Francis (1989). Western European Political Parties: A Comprehensive Guide. London: Longman. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-582-00113-8.
- ^ Country by Country. London: Economist Intelligence Unit. 2003. p. 96.
- ^ Stalker, Peter (2007). A Guide to the Counties of the World. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-19-920271-3.
- ^ Josep M. Colomer (24 July 2008). Comparative European Politics. Taylor & Francis. p. 221–. ISBN 978-0-203-94609-1. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ Xenophon Contiades (20 December 2012). Engineering Constitutional Change: A Comparative Perspective on Europe, Canada and the USA. Routledge. p. 250–. ISBN 978-1-136-21077-8. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
- ^ Hearl (1988), p. 392–3
- ^ "The party". dp.lu. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d Schulze (2007), p. 812
- ^ Hearl (1988), p. 376
- ^ a b "Luxembourg" (PDF). Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2000. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ Thewes (2006), p. 182
- ^ Hearl (1988), p. 386
- ^ a b Thewes (2006), p. 186
- ^ Thewes (2006), p. 187
- ^ a b c Thewes (2006), p. 188
- ^ a b Jacobs, Francis (1989). Western European Political Parties: A Comprehensive Guide. London: Longman. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-582-00113-8.
- ^ a b Hearl (1988), p. 382
- ^ Thewes (2006), p. 192
- ^ "Chronicle.lu - LSAP, DP & Déi Gréng to Commence Coalition Negotiations". www.chronicle.lu. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "New Luxemburg Government Sworn In". BrusselsDiplomatic. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- ^ "Streaming now on RTL PLAY: Lydie Polfer interviewed on brand new episode of Conversations With Christos". today.rtl.lu. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ a b Dumont et al (2003), p. 400
- ^ a b Hearl (1987), p. 255
- ^ a b c d Hearl (1987), p. 256
- ^ a b c d e Hearl (1988), p. 392
- ^ a b Dumont et al (2003), p. 424
- ^ a b Hearl (1988), p. 393
- ^ a b c Hearl (1988), p. 390
- ^ "DP gain two seats in Luxembourg elections". ALDE Party. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
References
[edit]- Dumont, Patrick; De Winter, Lieven (2003). "Luxembourg: Stable coalition in a pivotal party system". In Wolfgang C., Müller; Strom, Kaare (eds.). Coalition Governments in Western Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 399–432. ISBN 978-0-19-829761-1.
- Hearl, Derek (1987). "Luxembourg 1945–82: Dimensions and Strategies". In Budge, Ian; Robertson, David; Hearl, Derek (eds.). Ideology, Strategy, and Party Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 254–69. ISBN 978-0-521-30648-5.
- Hearl, Derek (1988). "The Luxembourg Liberal Party". In Kirchner, Emil Joseph (ed.). Liberal Parties in Western Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 376–95. ISBN 978-0-521-32394-9.
- Thewes, Guy (October 2006). Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 (PDF) (in French) (2006 ed.). Luxembourg City: Service Information et Presse. ISBN 978-2-87999-156-6. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
- Schulze, Isabelle (2007). "Luxembourg: An Electoral System with Panache". In Immergut, Ellen M.; Anderson, Karen M.; Schulze, Isabelle (eds.). The Handbook of West European Pension Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 804–53. ISBN 978-0-19-929147-2.