Union Of European Democrats

The Union of European Democrats (, ; UED) is a liberal political party in Poland. It is led by Elżbieta Bińczycka.

It was founded as a merger of the Democratic Party – demokraci.pl and "European Democrats" in November 2016. It joined the parliamentary group of the Polish People's Party in 2018, and later participated in the upcoming elections under the European Coalition and the Polish Coalition. Ideologically, it supports principles of liberal conservatism and social liberalism, and also advocates for a more federal European Union.

UED is a legal successor of the Democratic Union and the Freedom Union.

History

Early history and formation

During the extraordinary congress of the Democratic Party – demokraci.pl, its structures were merged with the "European Democrats" association, gathered around a four-member parliamentary group, and formally changed the name of the party to the "Union of European Democrats". Its first president became Elżbieta Bińczycka and Jacek Protasiewicz was elected as the vice-president. Former president of Poland Lech Wałęsa and the chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Democracy Mateusz Kijowski spoke at the party's founding conference, and letters were read from former presidents Bronisław Komorowski and Aleksander Kwaśniewski.

Elections period (2016–2019)

In January 2018, Michał Kamiński, a prominent member of UED, joined the parliamentary club led by the Polish People's Party. Soon after, they established a joint parliamentary club with Jacek Protasiewicz as the vice-president, while Kamiński was chosen to be a part of the presidium. Protasiewicz later left to join Modern. During the 2018 local elections, UED participated with various parties.

Shortly before the 2019 European Parliament election, it joined the European Coalition which was established by the Civic Platform, Democratic Left Alliance, and Polish People's Party. UED's candidate was Elżbieta Bińczycka and she obtained 6,540 votes but no seats.

During June and July 2019, UED held discussions about joining the Polish Coalition, after which it joined. During the 2019 parliamentary election, UED obtained 29,832 votes and Jacek Protasiewicz was elected as its MP.

Modern period (2020–present)

During the 2020 presidential election, it supported Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz as the candidate for the Polish Coalition. In the second round, UED voiced its support for Rafał Trzaskowski.

European affiliation

The UED is not officially affiliated with any European party. Its predecessor, the Democratic Party, was affiliated with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party with MEPs in the liberal group. However, UED MP Jacek Protasiewicz was a member of the European People's Party group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which corresponds to the European membership of the Polish People's Party and Protasiewicz's previous party (Civic Platform).

Ideology and program

The Union of European Democrats is largely a liberal conservative and social-liberal party that is described as centrist, or centre-right.

The party was formed by conservative defectors from the Civic Platform as well as former members of the Poland Fair Play party. It is a member of the Polish Coalition, a centre-right political coalition.

It advocates for the federalisation of the European Union.

Program

The party program declaration is concerned with the defense of Polish democracy, support for Poland's membership of the European Union and NATO, and the putative threats to Poland posed by Russia. The UED supports the creation of a federal Europe. The party also advocates civil service reform, the separation of church and state, and the introduction of civil partnerships.

Election results

Sejm

Senate

European Parliament

References

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2016 establishments in Poland
Centrist parties in Poland
Liberal parties in Poland
Political parties established in 2016
Pro-European political parties in Poland