Liberalism in Slovenia
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Slovenia. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.
History
After the independence of Slovenia former young socialists claim to have restarted the liberal tradition of former Austria-Hungary. Their organized liberalism became a major political force. The Liberal Democracy of Slovenia and profiles itself as a left of center liberal party. Others argue that there have been no liberal parties in Slovenia since independence in 1991. They say that claims of the former communist youth and LDS that they represent liberal parties with liberal doctrines are political propaganda and that facts demonstrate that both ZSMS and LDS followed socialist and anti liberal policies.From National Party of Carniola to Democratic Party
- 1894: Ivan Tavčar led the Young Slovenes to establish the National Party of Carniola. In Gorizia related groups formed the National Progressive Party in 1900
- 1905: The Carniolan party is renamed National Progressive Party. In Upper Styria related groups formed the National Party of Styria
- 1918: The three party merged into the Yugoslav Democratic Party
- 1919: The party merged with Serbian and Croatian into the pan-Yugoslav more or less liberal State Party of Serbian, Croatian and Slovene Democrats. Some of the Slovene liberals did not join JDS and founded Independent Agrarian Party and National-Socialist Party . Except the name, the latter did not have much in common with German Nazis and could have been described as a social liberal party.
- 1919: The party is renamed into the Democratic Community
- 1920: The party is renamed into the Democratic Party. Leader is Ljubomir Davidović
- 1924: A faction, including the majority of prominent Slovene liberals formed the Independent Democratic Party, mainly active in Croatia, Bosnia, Vojvodina and Slovenia
- 1929: After the royal coup, all parties were banned.
- 1931: Slovene liberals leaders joined the government party, from 1934 Yugoslav National Party . *1935-1941: JNS was in opposition.
- 1941-1945: Following the Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, political parties were dissolved but continued activities in underground. Facing the communist insurgence, Slovene liberals co-founded the underground national organization Slovene Covenant .
- 1945: All democratic parties were dissolved and banned.
From ZSMS-Liberal Party to Freedom Movement
- 1989: The Socialist Youth League of Slovenia changes its name into Za Svobodo Mislecega Sveta and is shortly after reorganised into the Liberal Party
- 1989: Oppositionals established the Slovenian Democratic League
- 1990: The party is renamed into the Liberal Democratic Party
- 1991: The party is renamed Democratic Party, led by Dimitrij Rupel
- 1991: The party merged with the ⇒ Democratic Party, a faction of the Slovenian Greens and the Socialist Party of Slovenia into the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia, led by Janez Drnovšek
- 2004: Active Slovenia split from Youth Party of Slovenia.
- 2006: Zoran Janković founded Zoran Janković List.
- 2007: Zares split from ⇒ LDS and merged with Active Slovenia.
- 2011: Zoran Janković founded Positive Slovenia which also join LDS and Zares members
- 2014: Alenka Bratušek split from PS and founded Alliance of Alenka Bratušek
- 2014: Miro Cerar founded Party of Miro Cerar
- 2014: Marjan Šarec founded List of Marjan Šarec
- 2014: Jelko Kacin leaves LDS and founds Kacin - Concretely
- 2014: Igor Šoltes founded Believe
- 2015: Zares dissolved
- 2016: ZaAB is renamed Alliance of Social Liberal Democrats
- 2016: This party is renamed Modern Centre Party
- 2017: ZaSLD is renamed Party of Alenka Bratušek
- 2018: Miro Cerar left the SMC after joining the 14th Government of Slovenia
- 2021: Former SMC member Jure Leben founded Green Actions Party.
- 2021: SMC merged with the ⇒ Economic Active Party into the Concretely.
- 2021: Igor Zorčič split from SMC and founded Liberal Democrats.
- 2022: Green Actions is renamed Freedom Movement'. SAB and LMŠ merged into ⇒ the Freedom Movement. Verjamem dissolves.
Civic List
- 2011: Gregor Virant founded Gregor Virant's Civic List
- 2012: LGV is renamed '''Civic List'''