TOGETHER – Civic Democracy
TOGETHER – Civic Democracy (Slovak: SPOLU – občianska demokracia) is a conservative-liberal[3] and liberal-conservative[4] political party in Slovakia. It was established in 2018.
TOGETHER – Civic Democracy SPOLU – občianska demokracia | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | SPOLU |
Leader | Juraj Hipš |
Founded | 25 January 2018 (registration) 14 April 2018 (foundation) |
Headquarters | Bratislava |
Ideology | Conservative liberalism Liberal conservatism Pro-Europeanism |
Political position | Centre[1] to centre-right[2] |
National affiliation | In coalition with PS |
European affiliation | European People's Party |
European Parliament group | European People's Party |
Colours | Turquoise Blue |
National Council | 0 / 150
|
European Parliament (Slovakian seats) | 2 / 14
|
Local councils | 285 / 20,646
|
Website | |
www | |
History
SPOLU was announced on 17 November 2017, by former under-secretary of Network Miroslav Beblavý, who left the party in protest of its decision to join the Smer-led government, and former under-secretary of liberal Freedom and Solidarity Jozef Mihál.[5]
The party presents itself as a centre-right, pro-European party focusing on a modern economy, accessible healthcare and a functional educational system.[6][7]
The Founding Council of SPOLU consists of independent MPs of the National Council of the Slovak Republic and former members of Network, Freedom and Solidarity and Ordinary People: Oto Žarnay, Jozef Mihál, Simona Petrík, Viera Dubačová, Miroslav Beblavý, Katarína Macháčková and lawyer Pavel Nechala of Transparency International.[8]
The party's founding congress was held on 14 April 2018 in Poprad. Miroslav Beblavý was elected as its leader. Katarína Macháčková and Jozef Mihál were elected as Deputy leaders, with the third Deputy leader being Erik Baláž, founder of environmentalist campaign We are the forest, and recipient of the White Crow 2017 award for the fight against corruption.[9]
Footnotes
- Germanová, Miroslava (30 December 2019). "Slovakia, 2019: The Year of President Zuzana Caputova". Balkan Insight.
- "Beblavého strana Spolu podporí na prezidenta vedca Roberta Mistríka". dennikn.sk. 17 June 2018.
- Kepplova, Zuzana; Przybylski, Wojciech (27 February 2020). "Not Another Miracle". Visegrád Insight.
- Nordsieck, Wolfram (2020). "Slovakia". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- "Beblavého strana sa bude volať Spolu – občianska demokracia". dennikn.sk. 12 September 2017.
- "BEBLAVÝ: SPOLU sme občianskymi demokratmi, pokračovateľmi Novembra´89". teraz.sk. 6 February 2018.
- Ministerstvo vnútra zaregistrovalo stranu SPOLU – občianska demokracia
- Political party registration sheet at Ministry of Interior
- Do politiky vstupuje známy ekológ z iniciatívy My sme les