Social Democratic Party of Slovakia
Encyclopedia
The Social Democratic Party of Slovakia (in Slovak
: Sociálnodemokratická strana Slovenska; abbreviated SDSS) was a left wing political party
in Slovakia
. Its last chairman, since 1993, was Jaroslav Volf
, its chairman in 1992 was Alexander Dubček
.
, in January 1990, and declared that it will attempt to continue the work of the "Slovak Social Democratic Party of (the Kingdom of) Hungary" (1905-1918) and of other social democratic parties forbidden in 1948 by the Communists.
Most of the time it failed to win seats in elections. In 1992 the party gained five seats (6,1% of the votes in Slovakia) in the "House of Nations" (Sněmovna národů) of the federal parliament of Czechoslovakia
, which however was only because the party chairman was briefly Alexander Dubček
, the ex-Czechoslovak leader, in 1992. Prior to his early death in November 1992, he was one of their MP's in the federal parliament.
" (Spoločná voľba) that gained 10.18% (5 seats) in the Slovak parliament. They did not form a part of the government.
Following the 1998 elections, they joined the ruling Slovak Democratic Coalition
until 2002. When Slovakia became a member of the EU
(on May 1, 2004), they were a part of the pan-European Party of European Socialists
, along with the Party of the Democratic Left
. The SDSS was also a member of the Socialist International
.
In 2003, an agreement was signed with Smer (the "Direction (Social Democracy)" party) to work closely together in all spheres. On January 1, 2005 the party finally merged with Smer.
Slovak language
Slovak , is an Indo-European language that belongs to the West Slavic languages .Slovak is the official language of Slovakia, where it is spoken by 5 million people...
: Sociálnodemokratická strana Slovenska; abbreviated SDSS) was a left wing political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. Its last chairman, since 1993, was Jaroslav Volf
Jaroslav Volf
Jaroslav Volf is a Czech slalom canoer who has competed since the late 1990s. Competing in three Summer Olympics, he won two medals in the C-2 event with a silver in 2008 and a bronze in 2004....
, its chairman in 1992 was Alexander Dubček
Alexander Dubcek
Alexander Dubček , also known as Dikita, was a Slovak politician and briefly leader of Czechoslovakia , famous for his attempt to reform the communist regime during the Prague Spring...
.
Czechoslovakia (till 1992)
The party arose after the Velvet RevolutionVelvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
, in January 1990, and declared that it will attempt to continue the work of the "Slovak Social Democratic Party of (the Kingdom of) Hungary" (1905-1918) and of other social democratic parties forbidden in 1948 by the Communists.
Most of the time it failed to win seats in elections. In 1992 the party gained five seats (6,1% of the votes in Slovakia) in the "House of Nations" (Sněmovna národů) of the federal parliament of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, which however was only because the party chairman was briefly Alexander Dubček
Alexander Dubcek
Alexander Dubček , also known as Dikita, was a Slovak politician and briefly leader of Czechoslovakia , famous for his attempt to reform the communist regime during the Prague Spring...
, the ex-Czechoslovak leader, in 1992. Prior to his early death in November 1992, he was one of their MP's in the federal parliament.
Independent Slovakia (from 1993)
From 1994 to 1997, the SDSS was a member of a coalition called "Common ChoiceCommon Choice
Common Choice was a election union in Slovakia from 1994-1997.Members were the post-communist Party of the Democratic Left , the Social Democratic Party of Slovakia , the minor Farmers movement, the Slovak Green Party and one/two other minor partys.The SDSS did not get into the Slovak...
" (Spoločná voľba) that gained 10.18% (5 seats) in the Slovak parliament. They did not form a part of the government.
Following the 1998 elections, they joined the ruling Slovak Democratic Coalition
Slovak Democratic Coalition
The Slovak Democratic Coalition was a political party in Slovakia, which existed from 1998 to 2002.-SDK coalition:The SDK was founded on 3 July 1997 as an electoral coalition, from the five political parties, namely Democratic Union, Christian Democratic Movement, Democratic Party, Social...
until 2002. When Slovakia became a member of the EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(on May 1, 2004), they were a part of the pan-European Party of European Socialists
Party of European Socialists
The Party of European Socialists is a European political party led by Sergei Stanishev, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria. The PES comprises social-democratic national-level political parties primarily from Member state of the European Union, as well as other nations of the European continent. The...
, along with the Party of the Democratic Left
Party of the Democratic Left (Slovakia)
The Party of the Democratic Left was a social-democratic political party in Slovakia from 1990 to 2004.It was founded in 1990, out of the Communist Party of Slovakia....
. The SDSS was also a member of the Socialist International
Socialist International
The Socialist International is a worldwide organization of democratic socialist, social democratic and labour political parties. It was formed in 1951.- History :...
.
In 2003, an agreement was signed with Smer (the "Direction (Social Democracy)" party) to work closely together in all spheres. On January 1, 2005 the party finally merged with Smer.