Democratic Party (Luxembourg)
The Democratic Party (Luxembourgish: Demokratesch Partei, French: Parti démocratique, German: Demokratische Partei), abbreviated to DP, is the major social-liberal political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre-right, with some centrist factions holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.
Democratic Party Demokratesch Partei | |
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Abbreviation | DP |
Leader | Lex Delles |
Founded | 24 April 1955 |
Headquarters | 2a, rue des Capucins L-1313 Luxembourg Luxembourg |
Youth wing | Democratic and Liberal Youth |
Ideology | Liberalism Social liberalism Pro-Europeanism |
Political position | Centre to centre-right |
Regional affiliation | Liberal Group |
European affiliation | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe |
International affiliation | Liberal International |
European Parliament group | Renew Europe |
Colours | Blue |
Chamber of Deputies | 14 / 60 |
European Parliament | 1 / 6 |
Local councils | 135 / 722 |
Benelux Parliament | 1 / 7 |
Website | |
http://www.dp.lu | |
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Founded in 1955, the party is currently led by Lex Delles. Its former president, Xavier Bettel, was the Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 2013 to 2023, leading the Bettel I and II governments in coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) and The Greens. It is the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies, with fourteen seats out of sixty, having won 17.8% of the vote at the 2023 general election, and has two seats in the European Parliament out of six. The party's stronghold is around Luxembourg City; it has provided the city's Mayor since 1970.
The party has often played the minor coalition partner to the Christian Social People's Party (CSV). In Gaston Thorn and Xavier Bettel, the DP has provided the only Prime Ministers of Luxembourg since 1945 not to be affiliated with the CSV (1974–79 and 2013–present). The party is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the Liberal International. The party has been one of the most influential liberal parties in Europe, due to its strength, its regular involvement in government, its role in international institutions, and Thorn's leadership.