Democratic and Social Centre (Spain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Democratic and Social Centre
Centro Democrático y Social
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| Founder | Adolfo Suárez |
| Founded | 29 July 1982 |
| Dissolved | c. 2012 |
| Split from | Union of the Democratic Centre |
| Merged into | People's Party (majority) |
| Headquarters | Madrid |
| Youth wing | Democratic and Social Centre Youth. |
| Ideology | Centrism Liberalism Social liberalism Christian democracy |
| Political position | Centre to centre-right |
| International affiliation | Liberal International |
| European Parliament group | Liberal Democratic and Reformist (1987–1994) |
| Colours | Green, white |
The Democratic and Social Centre (known as CDS) was a political party in Spain. It was founded in 1982 by Adolfo Suárez, who used to be the Prime Minister of Spain. This party believed in liberal ideas, which often focus on individual rights and freedoms.
The CDS was part of a group called the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group in the European Parliament. This is a big meeting of politicians from different European countries. The party was also a member of the Liberal International, a worldwide group of liberal political parties. In 2006, most of its members joined another party called the People's Party. However, a small group kept the CDS going and even won some local election seats in 2007.
Contents
The Story of the CDS Party
The CDS party was started on July 29, 1982, by Adolfo Suárez. He was very important in helping Spain become a democracy after the death of Francisco Franco. Suárez was Spain's Prime Minister from 1976 to 1981.
How the CDS Party Began
Suárez had previously led another party called the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD). After he stopped being Prime Minister in 1981, he tried to lead the UCD again. When he couldn't, he left the UCD and created the CDS. In the elections that year (1982), the new CDS party didn't do very well. It only won two seats in the Spanish parliament.
Growing Support for CDS
By 1986, the CDS party became much more popular. In the elections that year, the party's support grew a lot. They got 9.2 percent of the votes, which was a big jump from 2.9 percent in 1982. This showed that many people who used to vote for the UCD now supported the CDS.
During the election campaign, Suárez talked about his experience as Prime Minister. He said that the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) had not kept its promises. He also wanted Spain to have a more independent foreign policy. Suárez also suggested economic plans to help people who were struggling. This helped him get votes from people who were unhappy with the PSOE.
Peak Popularity and International Role
In 1987, the CDS made big gains in local and regional elections. A survey at the end of 1987 showed that Suárez was as popular as the current Prime Minister, González. Suárez's ideas, like wanting less dependence on the United States, appealed to many people. His ideas about the government helping with social services also resonated with workers.
From 1988, the CDS party was part of the Liberal International (LI). Adolfo Suárez himself was the president of the LI from 1988 to 1991.
Changes and Merger
Over time, the party went through some changes. In 1995, it joined with other liberal and green groups to form the Centrist Union (UC). For a while, the party was called UC-CDS. But in 2002, it went back to its original name, CDS.
In 2005, the party decided to merge with the People's Party (PP). At that time, the CDS had about 3,000 members. The merger officially happened on February 18, 2006.
The Party Continues (Sort Of)
Not everyone agreed with the merger. A small group of members decided to keep the CDS party going. They held their own meeting and got the right to use the CDS name again in 2007. In the local elections that year, this continuing party received about 14,000 votes and won 38 local council seats. This group also has a youth wing, called the Democratic and Social Center Youth. Their main goal is to encourage young people to get involved in politics and society.
Election Results
The CDS party took part in many elections in Spain. Here's how they did:
Spanish Parliament Elections
| Cortes Generales (Spanish Parliament) | |||||||||
| Election | Congress (Main Chamber) | Senate (Upper Chamber) | Main Leader | Gov. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | # | Seats | +/– | Seats | +/– | |||
| 1982 | 604,309 | 2.9 | 6th |
2 / 350
|
 2 |
0 / 208
|
 0 |
Adolfo Suárez | No |
| 1986 | 1,861,912 | 9.2 | 3rd |
19 / 350
|
17 |
3 / 208
|
3 |
No | |
| 1989 | 1,617,716 | 7.9 | 4th |
14 / 350
|
 5 |
1 / 208
|
2 |
No | |
| 1993 | 414,740 | 1.8 | 5th |
0 / 350
|
14 |
0 / 208
|
1 |
Rafael Calvo Ortega | No seats |
| 1996 | 44,771 | 0.2 | 15th |
0 / 350
|
0 |
0 / 208
|
0 |
Fernando García Fructuoso | No seats |
| 2000 | 23,576 | 0.1 | 19th |
0 / 350
|
0 |
0 / 208
|
0 |
Mario Conde | No seats |
| 2004 | 34,101 | 0.1 | 19th |
0 / 350
|
0 |
0 / 208
|
0 |
Teresa Gómez-Limón | No seats |
| 2008 | 1,362 | 0.0 | 60th |
0 / 350
|
0 |
0 / 208
|
0 |
Carlos Fernández García | No seats |
European Parliament Elections
| European Parliament | ||||||
| Election | Votes | % | # | Seats | +/– | Leading candidate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 1,976,093 | 10.3 | 3rd |
7 / 60
|
— | Eduard Punset |
| 1989 | 1,133,429 | 7.1 | 3rd |
5 / 60
|
2 |
José Ramón Caso |
| 1994 | 183,418 | 1.0 | 7th |
0 / 64
|
5 |
Eduard Punset |
| 1999 | 38,911 | 0.2 | 11th |
0 / 64
|
0 |
José Manuel Novo |
| 2004 | 11,820 | 0.1 | 11th |
0 / 54
|
0 |
Teresa Gómez-Limón |
| 2009 | 10,144 | 0.1 | 18th |
0 / 54
|
0 |
Antonio Fidalgo |
See also
- Politics of Spain
- List of political parties in Spain
