Socialist International facts for kids
![]() Socialist International logo
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![]() Light red: Countries with a political party affiliated with the Socialist International
Dark red: Countries with the ruling party affiliated with the Socialist International |
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Abbreviation | SI |
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Predecessor | Labour and Socialist International |
Formation | 3 June 1951 |
Type | International non-governmental organization |
Purpose | "Strengthen relations between the affiliated parties and to coordinate their political attitudes and activities" |
Location |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
Membership
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119 political parties and 13 affiliated organizations |
President
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Pedro Sánchez |
Secretary General
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Chantal Kambiwa |
Main organ
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Congress of the Socialist International |
Secessions | Progressive Alliance |
Budget
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£1.4 million (2014) |
Website | socialistinternational.org |
The Socialist International (SI) is a global group of political parties. These parties aim to create a society based on democratic socialism. This means they want a fair society where everyone has a say and important services are available to all. Most of its members are social-democratic parties and worker organizations.
The SI was formed in 1951. It followed an older group called the Labour and Socialist International. But its roots go back even further, to the late 1800s. Today, the SI has 132 member parties and organizations from over 100 countries. Many of its member parties have been in charge of governments, especially in Europe. In 2013, some parties left the SI to form a new group called the Progressive Alliance.
The current leader of the SI is Pedro Sánchez, who is also the prime minister of Spain. The Secretary General is Chantal Kambiwa from Ghana. Both were chosen at the SI Congress in Madrid in November 2022.
Contents
A Look Back: Early Worker Groups
The First and Second Internationals (1864–1916)
The very first international group for workers was called the International Workingmen's Association. People also called it the First International. It started in London in 1864. This group brought together different socialist, communist, and anarchist groups, along with trade unions. They all wanted to improve life for working people. However, disagreements between different groups led to its end in 1876.
Later, the Second International was formed in Paris in 1889. This was a group of socialist parties. But when World War I started, members had different ideas about the war. These differences caused the Second International to break up in 1916.
The Labour and Socialist International (1919–1940)
After World War I, some parties wanted to restart the Second International. They formed the International Socialist Commission (ISC) in 1919. At the same time, Communist parties created their own group, the Communist International (Comintern).
Some parties didn't want to join either of these groups. So, they formed the International Working Union of Socialist Parties (IWUSP) in 1921. Eventually, the ISC and the IWUSP decided to join forces. They created the Labour and Socialist International (LSI) in 1923. This group lasted until 1940. The rise of groups like the Nazis and the start of World War II led to its end.
The Socialist International (1951–Present)
The Socialist International was officially formed in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1951. It was created to continue the work of the LSI.
After World War II, the SI helped social democratic parties. These parties were trying to rebuild their countries after dictatorships. For example, it helped in Portugal (1974) and Spain (1975). Before 1976, most SI members were from Europe. But then it started to include more parties from Latin America.
In the 1980s, many SI parties supported the Nicaraguan Sandinistas. This was a left-wing government in Nicaragua. The United States tried to overthrow it, which led to the Iran–Contra affair.

During the Cold War, the SI talked a lot with the United States and the Soviet Union. They discussed how to improve relations and control weapons. The SI supported agreements that aimed for peace and disarmament. Leaders like Kalevi Sorsa, the Prime Minister of Finland, led these talks. They met with US Presidents and Soviet leaders.
Since then, the SI has welcomed many more parties from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
In 2011, the SI removed some ruling parties from its membership. These parties were from countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Ivory Coast. They were removed because they were long-term ruling parties in one-party states. These governments were overthrown during the Arab Spring protests.
A New Group: The Progressive Alliance (2013)
In 2013, a new group called the Progressive Alliance was formed. It was started by the Social Democratic Party of Germany and other parties. They felt that the SI was not democratic enough or was old-fashioned. They also didn't like that the SI still included some undemocratic political groups.
After 2012, many large European parties either left the SI or became "observer" members. These parties now work more closely with the Progressive Alliance. The SI now focuses more on countries in the "global south" (Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia).
The SI and Latin America
For a long time, the Socialist International didn't pay much attention to Latin America. They saw it as an area mainly influenced by the United States. For example, they didn't speak out against the overthrow of Guatemala's socialist president in 1954.
But after the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, things changed. The SI started to support left-wing groups in Latin America. They backed the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. They also supported movements in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. These groups were fighting against dictatorships that the US supported.
In the 1990s, some non-socialist parties joined the SI. They saw the economic power of European countries led by SI partners. They hoped to gain benefits from these connections. However, some critics said the SI became too focused on connections rather than its original goals. Many left-wing parties that came to power in Latin America in the 2000s chose to stay separate from the SI.
The SI Logo
The logo of the Socialist International is the fist and rose. This design is based on a logo created in 1977 for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. Many parties that are members of the SI use similar versions of this emblem.
Leaders of the Socialist International
Presidents
As of 2023, there have been nine presidents of the Socialist International.
# | Name | Portrait | Country | Presidency
start date |
Presidency
end date |
Time in office | |
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1 | Morgan Phillips (1902–1963) | ![]() |
Labour Party | 1951 | 1957 | 6 years | |
2 | Alsing Andersen (1893–1962) | ![]() |
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Social Democratic Party of Denmark | 1957 | 1962 | 5 years |
3 | Erich Ollenhauer (1901–1963) | ![]() |
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Social Democratic Party of Germany | 1963 | ||
4 | Bruno Pittermann (1905–1983) | ![]() |
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Social Democratic Party of Austria | 1964 | 1976 | 12 years |
5 | Willy Brandt (1913–1992) | ![]() |
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Social Democratic Party of Germany | 1976 | 1992 | 16 years |
6 | Pierre Mauroy (1928–2013) | ![]() |
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Socialist Party of France | 17 September 1992 | 10 November 1999 | 7 years, 54 days |
7 | António Guterres (born 1949) | ![]() |
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Socialist Party of Portugal | 10 November 1999 | 15 June 2005 | 5 years, 217 days |
8 | George Papandreou (born 1952) |
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PASOK / KIDISO | 30 January 2006 | 25 November 2022 | 16 years, 300 days |
9 | Pedro Sánchez (born 1972) |
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Spanish Socialist Workers' Party | 25 November 2022 | Incumbent | 2 years, 203 days |
Honorary Presidents
These are people who have been given the title of honorary president.
- Mustapha Ben Jafar, Tunisia
- Leonel Brizola, Brazil
- Rubén Berríos, Puerto Rico
- Philippe Busquin, Belgium
- Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, Mexico
- Mohamed El Yazghi, Morocco
- Alan García, Peru
- Anita Gradin, Sweden
- Elazar Granot, Israel
- Tarja Halonen, Finland
- Mahamadou Issoufou, Niger
- Anker Jørgensen, Denmark
- Lionel Jospin, France
- Neil Kinnock, United Kingdom
- Horacio Serpa, Colombia
- Enrique Silva Cimma, Chile
- Mário Soares, Portugal
- Hans-Jochen Vogel, Germany
Secretaries General
The Secretary General manages the daily work of the SI.
- Julius Braunthal, Austria (1951–1956)
- Bjarne Braatoy, Norway (1956–1957)
- Albert Carthy, United Kingdom (1957–1969)
- Hans Janitschek, Austria (1969–1976)
- Bernt Carlsson, Sweden (1976–1983)
- Pentti Väänänen, Finland (1983–1989)
- Luis Ayala, Chile (1989–2022)
- Benedicta Lasi, Ghana (2022–2024)
- Chantal Kambiwa, Ghana (2024– )
SI Meetings Around the World
The Socialist International holds regular meetings called Summits or Congresses. Here are some of the places they have met:
- 1951 (1st): Frankfurt, West Germany
- 1952 (2nd): Milan, Italy
- 1953 (3rd): Stockholm, Sweden
- 1955 (4th): London, United Kingdom
- 1957 (5th): Vienna, Austria
- 1959 (6th): Hamburg, West Germany
- 1961 (7th): Rome, Italy
- 1963 (8th): Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 1964 (9th): Brussels, Belgium
- 1966 (10th): Stockholm, Sweden
- 1969 (11th): Eastbourne, United Kingdom
- 1972 (12th): Vienna, Austria (2nd time)
- 1976 (13th): Geneva, Switzerland
- 1978 (14th): Vancouver, Canada
- 1980 (15th): Madrid, Spain
- 1983 (16th): Albufeira, Portugal
- 1986 (17th): Lima, Peru
- 1989 (18th): Stockholm, Sweden (2nd time)
- 1992 (19th): Berlin, Germany
- 1996 (20th): New York City, United States
- 1999 (21st): Paris, France
- 2003 (22nd): São Paulo, Brazil
- 2008 (23rd): Athens, Greece
- 2012 (24th): Cape Town, South Africa
- 2017 (25th): Cartagena, Colombia
- 2022 (26th): Madrid, Spain (2nd time)
Who Are the Members?
The Socialist International has different types of members: full members, consultative parties, and observer parties.
Full Members
There are 92 full member parties. These parties are deeply involved in the SI's work.
Country | Name | Government Status | Notes | |
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Socialist Party of Albania | in government | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Socialist Forces Front | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1996. | |
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Social Democratic Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola | in government | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Radical Civic Union | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Armenian Revolutionary Federation | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Belarusian Social Democratic Party | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2015. | |
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Socialist Party | junior party in coalition | ||
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National Unity Front | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2017. | |
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Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina | in government | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Democratic Labour Party | in government | Joined as a full member in 1989. | |
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Party of Bulgarian Social Democrats | extra-parliamentary | ||
Bulgarian Socialist Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | ||
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People's Movement for Progress | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2016. | |
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Social Democratic Front | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1996. | |
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Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People | MLPC | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2018. |
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National Union for Democracy and Renewal | UNDR | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2017. |
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Party for Democracy | junior party in coalition | Joined as a full member in 1996. | |
Radical Party of Chile | junior party in coalition | |||
Socialist Party of Chile | junior party in coalition | Joined as a full member in 1996. | ||
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Colombian Liberal Party | junior party in coalition | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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National Liberation Party | in opposition | Full member since 1987. | |
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Social Democratic Party of Croatia | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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EDEK Socialist Party | in opposition | Full member since 1987. | |
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Republican Turkish Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2014. | |
Communal Democracy Party | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2017. | ||
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Social Democracy | in opposition | ||
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Union for Democracy and Social Progress | UDPS | in government | Joined as an observer member in 2003. |
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Dominican Revolutionary Party | in opposition | Full member since 1987. | |
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Convergence for Social Democracy | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Social Democratic Party of Finland | in opposition | ||
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Socialist Party | in opposition | ||
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National Democratic Congress | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2008. | |
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PASOK – Movement for Change | in opposition | Full member since 1990. | |
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National Unity of Hope | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2008. | |
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Rally of the Guinean People | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats | extra-parliamentary | Full member since 1989. | |
Social Democratic Assembly for the Progress of Haiti (RSD) | RSD | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2018. | |
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Hungarian Socialist Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1996. | |
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Indian National Congress | in opposition | Rejoined as a full member in 2014. | |
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Patriotic Union of Kurdistan | junior party in coalition | Joined as a full member in 2008. | |
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Meretz | extra-parliamentary | ||
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Italian Socialist Party | extra-parliamentary | ||
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People's National Party | in opposition | Full member since 1952. | |
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Social Democratic Party | in opposition | Full member since 1951. | |
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Nationwide Social Democratic Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2015. | |
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Social Democrats (Kyrgyzstan) | in opposition | Successor to a previous member party. | |
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Progressive Socialist Party | in opposition | Full member since 1980. | |
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Social Democratic Party of Lithuania | in opposition | Full member since the 1990s. | |
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Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party | style="background: #FFD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="partial table-partial"|in opposition | Full member since 1951. | |
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Alliance for Democracy in Mali | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
Rally for Mali | in opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2003. | ||
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Rally of Democratic Forces | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2008. | |
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Labour Party | in opposition | Full member since 1969. | |
Mauritian Militant Movement | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | ||
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Institutional Revolutionary Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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European Social Democratic Party | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2012. | |
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Mongolian People's Party | in government | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2008. | |
Social Democratic Party of Montenegro | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2003. | ||
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Socialist Union of Popular Forces | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1992. | |
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Frelimo Party | in government | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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South West Africa People's Organisation | in government | Joined as a full member in 2008. | |
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Nepali Congress | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Pakistan Peoples Party | junior party in coalition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Fatah | in government | Joined as a full member in 2012. | |
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Democratic Revolutionary Party | in government | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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Progressive Democratic Party | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2015. | |
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Peruvian Aprista Party | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Philippine Democratic Socialist Party | PDSP | extra-parliamentary | Reinstated in 2019. |
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Socialist Party | in government | ||
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Puerto Rican Independence Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1992. | |
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Social Democratic Party | in government | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Party of Socialists and Democrats | junior partner in coalition | Full member since 1980. | |
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Socialist Party of Senegal | junior partner in coalition | Full member since the 1970s. | |
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Direction – Social Democracy | in government | Full member. | |
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African National Congress | in government | Joined as a full member in 1999. | |
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Spanish Socialist Workers' Party | in government | Full member since 1951. | |
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Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties | N/A | Joined as a full member in 2012. | |
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Republican People's Party | in opposition | Took another party's place in 1995. | |
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New Space | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2003. | |
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A New Era | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2015. | |
Democratic Action | in opposition | Full member since the mid-1980s. | ||
Popular Will | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a full member in 2014. | ||
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Yemeni Socialist Party | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 2012. |
Consultative Parties
There are 19 consultative parties. These parties are working towards full membership.
Country | Name | Government Status | Notes | |
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Botswana Democratic Party | in government | Joined as a consultative member in 2014. | |
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Unified Lumumbist Party | PALU | in opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2019. |
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Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development | MRD | N/A | Joined as consultative members in 2019. |
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People's United Democratic Movement | PUDEMO | N/A | Joined as a consultative member in 2013. Political parties are not allowed in Eswatini. |
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Gabonese Progress Party | PGP | N/A | Joined as a consultative member in 1996. |
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United Democratic Party | UDP | in opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2012. |
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Social Democrats for the Development of Georgia | SDD | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a consultative member in 2013. |
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Convention People's Party | CPP | extra-parliamentary | Joined as a consultative member in 2018. |
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African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde | PAIGC | in opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2008. |
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Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan | PDKI | N/A | Joined as a consultative member in 2008. This party is banned in Iran. |
Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan | KPIK | N/A | Joined as a consultative member in 2018. This party is banned in Iran. | |
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Palestinian National Initiative | PNI | in opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2012. |
Palestinian Popular Struggle Front | PPSF | junior partner in coalition | Joined as a consultative member in 2018. | |
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Polisario Front | POLISARIO | in government | Joined as a consultative member in 2017. |
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Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party | MLSTP/PSD | in opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2013. |
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Democratic Union Party | PYD | extra-parliamentary opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2015. |
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Democratic Convention of African Peoples | CDPA | extra-parliamentary opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 1999. |
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Social Democratic Party of Ukraine | SDPU | extra-parliamentary opposition | Joined as a consultative member in 2003. |
Observer Parties
There are eight observer parties. These parties are new to the SI or have a less active role.
Country | Name | Government Status | Notes | |
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Swazi Democratic Party | SWADEPA | N/A | Joined as an observer member in 2014. |
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Labour Party | in opposition | ||
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Labour Party of Kenya | Joined as an observer member in 2012. | ||
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Vetëvendosje | VV | in government | Joined as an observer member in 2018. |
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Lesotho Congress for Democracy | LCD | junior party in coalition | Joined as an observer member in 2014. |
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Social Democratic Party of Serbia | SDPS | junior party in coalition | Joined as an observer member in 2018. |
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Justice and Welfare Party | JWP | in opposition | Joined as an observer member in 2013. |
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Labour Party | in opposition | A member since 1951. Changed to observer status in 2013 due to ethical concerns and to explore new ways of working with other groups. | |
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Social Democratic and Labour Party | SDLP | in opposition | Joined as a full member in 1974. |
Groups Connected to the SI
The Socialist International also works with other organizations. These are called fraternal or associated organizations.
Fraternal Organizations
- International Falcon Movement – Socialist Educational International
- Socialist International Women
Associated Organizations
- Arab Social Democratic Forum, ASDF
- Euro-Latin American Forum of Progressive and Socialist Parliamentarians
- International Federation of the Socialist and Democratic Press
- International Jewish Labor Bund
- International Labour Sports Confederation
- International League of Religious Socialists
- International Social Democratic Union for Education
- World Labour Zionist Movement, WLZM
- National Democratic Institute
- Party of European Socialists
- Social Democratic Group of the Latin American Parliament
See also
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- Other Left-wing International Groups
Here are some other international groups that share similar goals, listed by when they were formed and their main ideas:
- United Left Wing
- International Workingmen's Association, the First International (1864–1876)
- Anarchist Groups
- International Anarchist Congresses: These groups were part of the First International at first. Later groups include:
- International Working People's Association, sometimes called the "Black" International (1881-1887)
- International Workers' Association (started 1922) and the International of Anarchist Federations (started 1968).
- Socialist & Labour Groups
- Second International (1889–1916)
- Berne International (started 1919)
- International Working Union of Socialist Parties (IWUSP), also known as the 2½ International (1921-1923)
- Labour and Socialist International (1923-1940), formed by combining the Vienna and Berne Internationals.
- Communist Groups
- Communist International, also known as the Third International or Comintern (1919-1943)
- Trotskyist Groups
- Fourth International (1938-1953 split)
- Fourth International (post-reunification) (since 1963)
- Democratic Socialism
- Socialist International (started 1951)
- Efforts to Reunite
- Fifth International, a term for groups hoping to create a new worldwide workers' international.