International Democracy Union
International alliance of right-of-centre political parties
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The IDU allows conservative political parties around the world to establish contacts and discuss different views on public policy and related matters. Their stated goal is the promotion of "democracy and [of] centre-right policies around the globe". The IDU has some overlap of member parties with the Centrist Democrat International (CDI), but the CDI is more centrist, Christian democrat and communitarian than the IDU.
The group was founded in 1983 as the umbrella organisation for the European Democrat Union (EDU), Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU), and the Asia Pacific Democrat Union (APDU). Created at the instigation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and U.S. Vice President George H. W. Bush, the organisation was founded at a joint meeting of the EDU and APDU in London, United Kingdom.
Founding
The IDU was founded in London on 24 June 1983. According to Richard V. Allen, to be admitted as a member, a party must qualify as a "mainstream conservative" party influenced by classical liberalism.
The founding declaration was signed by 19 persons:
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History and activities
According to a 1985 CIA memo, the Republican Party and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan had provided half of all funding for the organization at the time. Several leaders of member parties had gained political power with help from Arthur J. Finkelstein, such as Viktor Orbán, Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump. The IDU shares resources with its members on "campaign technology, fund-raising techniques, opinion polling, advertising and campaign organization". The Conservative Party of Canada and the Republican Party had closely collaborated on resources and strategy during the 2000s and 2010s.
Member parties
Full members
Former members
- Argentina – Justicialist Party
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Party of Democratic Action
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatian Democratic Union 1990
- Bolivia – Nationalist Democratic Action
- Brazil – Democrats
- Bulgaria – Union of Democratic Forces
- Canada – Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
- Dominican Republic – Social Christian Reformist Party
- France – Rally for the Republic
- France – Union for a Popular Movement
- Guatemala – National Advancement Party
- Honduras – National Party of Honduras
- Hungary – Fidesz
- India – Bharatiya Janata Party
- Japan – Liberal Democratic Party
- Lebanon – Lebanese Forces
- Lithuania – Homeland Union
- Moldova – Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova
- Montenegro – Movement for Changes
- Nicaragua – Conservative Party
- Portugal – Social Democratic Party
- Russia – Union of Right Forces
- Serbia – Democratic Party of Serbia
- Serbia – United Regions of Serbia
- South Africa – New National Party
- South Korea – Liberty Korea Party
- Spain – People's Alliance
- Spain – People's Democratic Party
Chairmen
Since 1997, all Chairmen have been part of the Anglosphere (United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada).
Regional unions
In addition to being members of the UDI, political parties can also be members of one of its regional unions:
- Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA): Union of Latin American Parties;
- Asia Pacific Democrat Union (APDU or UDAP): Democratic Union of Asia and the Pacific
- Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU or UDC): Caribbean Democratic Union
- Democrat Union of Africa (DUA or UDA): Democratic Union of Africa
- European Democrat Union (EDU or EDU): European Democratic Union
Leadership
- President: Stephen Harper (Conservative Party of Canada, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015)
- Vice-President: Brian Loughnane (Liberal Party of Australia)
- Honorary President: Lord Michael Ashcroft (Conservative Party of the United Kingdom)
- Executive Vice Presidents:
- Hon. Antonio Giordano MP (Fratelli d'Italia)
- Hon. Tundu Lissu (CHADEMA)
- Hon. Scott Morrison (Liberal Party of Australia)
- Rt. Hon. Dame Priti Patel MP (Conservative Party of the United Kingdom)
- Diego Schalper MP (Renovación Nacional, Chile)
- David McAllister MEP (Christian Democratic Union of Germany)
- Vice-presidents:
- Marwan Abdallah (Kataeb Party)
- Louisa Atta-Agyemang (New Patriotic Party)
- Governor Haley Barbour (Republican Party)
- Hon. Deborah Bergamini MP (Forza Italia)
- Deputy Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou MP (New Democracy)
- Rt.Hon. Allen Chastanet MP (United Workers Party)
- Hon. Judith Collins KC, MP (New Zealand National Party)
- Dr. Rahhal El Makkaoui (Istiqlal Party)
- Carlo Fidanza MEP (ECR)
- Minister of State Florian Hahn MP (Christian Social Union of Bavaria)
- Lord Daniel Hannan (Conservative Party of the United Kingdom)
- Gabriel Mato MEP (Partido Popular)
- Julian Obiglio (PRO)
- Marco Solares (Unionist Party)
- Majority Leader Jens Spahn MP (Christian Democratic Union of Germany)
- Commissioner Dubravka Šuica (Croatian Democratic Union)
- HE Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin (Ардчилсан нам, Democratic Party)
- Political advisor: Eva Gustavsson (Moderate Coalition Party, Sweden)
- Secretary General: Tina Mercep, Croatian Democratic Union