Saskatchewan Party
The Saskatchewan Party (French Parti saskatchewanais ) is a conservative political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was formed in 1997 from the merger of former members of the Progressive Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. Until the elections in November 2007, she was the strongest opposition party. In the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, the party is represented with 49 of 58 seats and forms the government. Party leader Brad Wall is also prime minister of the province.
History
In the 1980s, the Progressive Conservatives formed the government of the province. A record- high deficit and general discontent, however, led in 1991 to the resounding electoral victory of the social democratic NDP. The detection of corruption scandals weakened the position of the Progressive Conservatives on. As this and the liberals disappointing sections in the elections in 1995, was among members of both parties, the desire for a competitive alternative right of center.
The four former progressive conservative and liberal MPs founded in 1997 the Saskatchewan Party. But this did not lead to a formal merger of the two parties. While most Progressive Conservatives joined the new group, their old party, however, was not resolved. They recreational amenities continue to hold substantial assets, but which would fall back with a resolution to the provincial government. To prevent this, it continues on a pro forma candidates who have no electoral chances. Given the preponderance of conservatives (only a few Liberals came about ) suspected political opponents, they tried merely to distance himself from the corruption scandals.
In 1999, the Saskatchewan Party held its first meeting at the elections to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, reaching from the state a share of the vote of nearly 40%, which was not sufficient to displace the NDP. Four years later, the election results differed only marginally. In 2004, Brad Wall the party chairmanship. Under his leadership, the party was on various neoliberal positions and moved towards the center of the political spectrum. This change of direction paid off during the 2007 elections. The Saskatchewan Party won more than 50 % of the votes and Brad Wall became the new prime minister.
Election results
Party chairman
P = Prime Minister
- Ken Krawetz (1997-1998)
- Elwin Hermanson (1998-2004)
- Brad Wall (since 2004) P