International Democracy Union

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:

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

• **** – Justicialist Party
• **** – Party of Democratic Action
• **** – Croatian Democratic Union 1990
• **** – Nationalist Democratic Action
• **** – Democrats
• **** – Union of Democratic Forces
• **** – Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
• **** – Social Christian Reformist Party
• **** – Rally for the Republic
• **** – Union for a Popular Movement
• **** – National Advancement Party
• **** – National Party of Honduras
• **** – Fidesz
• **** – Bharatiya Janata Party
• **** – Liberal Democratic Party
• **** – Lebanese Forces
• **** – Homeland Union
• **** – Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova
• **** – Movement for Changes
• **** – Conservative Party
• **** – Social Democratic Party
• **** – Union of Right Forces
• **** – Democratic Party of Serbia
• **** – United Regions of Serbia
• **** – Liberty Korea Party
• **** – People's Alliance
• **** – 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

References

References

1. (February 2018). "Declaration of Principles, London 1983".
2. (July 24, 1985). "Briefing; A Parties' Party". [[The New York Times]].
3. (September 4, 2023). "As part of celebrating 40 years of championing #democracy and #freedom, the IDU Executive approved the re-launch of our organization as the 'International Democracy Union'. While our values remain constant, this small adjustment clarifies our cause as we work to expand our network in support of democracy worldwide. Welcome to the International Democracy Union! #idu40".
4. (23 September 1989). "Conservative Figures See 'Bright' Future". [[The New York Times]].
5. (11 June 2002). "Bush in Terrorist Warning". [[The New York Times]].
6. Burnell, Peter J.. (2006). "Globalizing Democracy: Party Politics in Emerging Democracies". Taylor & Francis.
7. "IDU Members".
8. [https://www.idu.org/about/economics-sme-global/ SME Global — Small Business. Big Impact]. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
9. [https://www.idu.org/about/history/ IDU — History]. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
10. Mohr, Alexander. (2010). "The German Political Foundations as Actors in Democracy Assistance". Universal-Publishers.
11. Goldman, Ralph Morris. (2002). "The Future Catches Up: Transnational Parties and Democracy". Taylor & Francis.
12. (24 June 1983). "The Founding Meeting Of The Union".
13. (July 27, 1985). "By Any Other Name, Conservative". The New York Times.
14. (September 2024). "International Democrat Union, minutes of founding meeting, 1993}}{{Dead link".
15. (2023-09-06). "Who Is Mike Roman? The Trump Indictee with Canadian Ties".
16. (2023-07-01). "The man who helped Orban and Netanyahu rise to power". [[BBC]].
17. (1996-10-10). "Arthur Finkelstein: Out Of Sight But In Control".
18. (2024-04-05). "Democracy Is Under Siege Globally. Canada Is Being Tested".
19. (2019-08-06). "Stephen Harper Heads a Global Org That Helps Get Right-Wing Parties Elected. What Will It Do for Andrew Scheer?".
20. iamdesign. (2018-02-01). "Members {{!}} International Democracy Union".