Free Democratic Party Of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party (German: Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei, French: Parti radical-démocratique, Italian: Partito liberale-radicale svizzero, Romansh: Partida liberaldemocrata svizra) was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009.
The FDP was formed in 1894 from the Radicals, who had dominated Swiss politics since the 1830s, standing in in opposition to the Catholic conservatives, and who from the creation of the federal state in 1848 until 1891 formed the federal government.
The FDP remained dominant until the introduction of proportional representation in 1919. From 1945 to 1987, it alternated with the Social Democratic Party to be the largest party. In 1959, the party took two seats in the magic formula. The party declined in the 1990s and 2000s (decade), as it was put under pressure by the Swiss People's Party. In response, the party formed closer relations with the smaller Liberal Party, leading to their formal merger in 2009.
Read more about Free Democratic Party Of Switzerland: History, Popular Support, List of Party Presidents
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