Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats

Hrvatska narodna stranka - Liberalni democratic (HNS ) ( German Croatian People's Party - Liberal Democrats ) is a left-liberal party in Croatia.

The origins of the party are in the 19th century. As part of the predominantly Croatian Illyrian movement, which sought equal rights for Croats and other South Slavic peoples within the Habsburg Monarchy, it was founded in 1841 under the name Ilirska narodna stranka ( Illyrian People's Party). The relevant Josip Juraj Strossmayer and founders included Ivan Kukuljević - Sakcinski. In the following years, this party had great influence in Croatia. 1905, they joined the Croatian - Serbian Coalition. Neither in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia listed in the Federal People's Republic, the People's Party was re-established.

This reestablishment took place until the end of 1990 under the former leaders of the Croatian Spring, Miko Tripalo and Savka Dabčević - Kucar significant participation, as the coalition of the People's consensus was broken. The HNS is therefore a so-called new-old party that has existed even before the war and communist dictatorship. In the elections 1992 the People's Party came to 6.7 % and 6 of the 138 seats and thus played a relatively minor role. The contractor Radimir Čačić was 1993 Chairman. At the 1995 election the HNS adopted as part of the United list, among other things together with the Croatian Peasant Party in part. This came to 18.3 % and 18 of 127 seats and was the strongest opposition force. In 1997, the current President Stjepan Mesic joined the Liberal Party now. 2000 was the alliance back to 15.6% and 24 of 151 seats now and participated in the Social Democrat-led coalition government led by Ivica Račan. In the same year Mesic was elected with 41 % in the first and 56 % in the second ballot for President and the sociologist Vesna Pusić was HNS Chairman. 2003 saw the introduction HNS only with the regional Primorsko- Goranski savez together in the parliamentary elections, was 8.0% and 14 of 152 seats win and went into opposition.

Following the 2007 parliamentary elections the party remained at 6.7% share of the vote and 7 seats still in the opposition.

Since April 2008 Radimir Čačić is again chairman of the party.

The end of 2010 Kukuriku Coalition was founded with the aim to compete in the parliamentary elections on 4 December 2011 together with SDP, IDS and HSU.

On 4 December 2011, the Kukuriku coalition was most votes fraction.

At the 11th Party Congress on March 17, 2012 Radimir Čačić was confirmed as party chairman in office, Vesna Pusić and Ivan Vrdoljak were elected as Vice- Chairman.

The HNS is a member of Liberal International and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

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