Democratic Party (Luxembourg)

Democratic Party (Luxembourg)

The Democratic Party (Luxembourgish: Demokratesch Partei, French: Parti Démocratique, German: Demokratische Partei), abbreviated to DP, is the major liberal and conservative-liberal political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre-right, holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.

Founded in 1955, the party is led by Claude Meisch. It is the third-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies, with nine seats out of sixty, having won 15% of the vote at the last election, and has one seat in the European Parliament out of six. The party's stronghold is around Luxembourg City; it has provided the city's mayor, currently Xavier Bettel, since 1970.

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 Minister since 1945 not from the CSV (1974–79). The party is a member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and 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.

Read more about Democratic Party (Luxembourg):  Ideology, Political Support, Election Results, Presidents

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