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[[Category:Glytter]]
{{wip}}
{{Infobox political party
{{Infobox political party
| country = Glytter
| country = Caldia
| name_english = Glytter Democrats<br>Daonlathach Glítteannach
| name = Caldish Democrats<br><small>''Daonlathaigh Glaíteannach''</small>
| logo = [[File:Glytter_Democrats_Logo.png|250px]]
| logo = [[File:Glytter_Democrats_Logo.png|250px]]
| leader = [[Máire Mac Briain]]
| leader = [[Muirís Ó Branagáin]]
| leader1_title = Chairperson
| leader1_title =  
| leader1_name = [[Liam Callaghan]]
| leader1_name =
| founded = 1857
| founded = 1857
| predecessor =  
| predecessor =  
| youth_wing = Democratic Youth
| youth_wing = Young Democrats
| wing1_title =  
| wing1_title =  
| wing1 =  
| wing1 =  
| wing2_title =  
| wing2_title =  
| wing2 =  
| wing2 =  
| headquarters = [[Spálgleann]], Glytter
| headquarters = [[Spálgleann]], Caldia
| ideology = {{wp|Liberalism}}<br>{{wp|Social Liberalism}}<br>{{wp|Classic Liberalism}}
| ideology = {{wp|Liberalism}}<br>{{wp|Social Liberalism}}<br>{{wp|Classic Liberalism}}
| position = {{wp|Centre-right}}
| position = {{wp|Centre}} to {{wp|Centre-right}}
| international =  
| international = Liberal Democrat International
|affiliation1_title = [[Euclean Parliament]] group
|affiliation1_title = [[Euclean Parliament]] group
|affiliation1      = [[Euclean Parliament#Party groups|Euclean Liberal Party]]
|affiliation1      = [[Forward Euclea]]
| colours = {{colour box|#ffff33}} Yellow {{colour box|Orange}} Orange
|affiliation2_title = Euclean party
| membership_year = 2012
|affiliation2      = [[Euclean Liberal Party]]
| membership = 9,170
| colours = {{colour box|Orange}} Orange (current)<br>{{colour box|#ffff33}} Yellow (traditional)
| website = glytdems.gl
| membership_year =
| colorcode = #ffff33
| membership =  
| seats1_title = [[Seanad Glítteann]]
| website =  
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|60|#ffff33}}
| colorcode = Orange
| seats2_title = [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta]]
| seats1_title = [[Tionól]]
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|16|389|#ffff33}}
| seats1 ={{Composition bar|10|389|Orange}}
| seats3_title = [[Euclean Parliament]]
| seats2_title = [[Euclean Parliament]]
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|0|15|#ffff33}}
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|20|#ffff33}}
| seats3_title = [[Counties_of_Caldia#Politics_and_governance|Regional Councils]]
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|28|510|Orange}}
}}
}}
The '''Glytter Democrats''' ({{wp|Irish language|Ghaillish}}: ''Daonlathach Glítteannach''), commonly known as the '''Glyt Dems''', is a {{wp|Liberalism|liberal}} and {{wp|Social Liberalism|social liberal}} {{wp|political party}} in [[Glytter]]. More recently, the party has supported a {{wp|mixed economy}} and  comprehensive but market-based {{wp|welfare state}} programs. It is the nation's oldest active political party, having been established in 1857 by [[Dónall Ó Conaill]] and several liberal members of the [[Seanad Glítteann]]. Along with the defunct [[National Conservative Party]], the Glytter Democrats acted as one of the nation's main political parties, forming numerous governments between 1857 and 1937. The party's popularity has since been in decline and it is currently the seventh-largest party in the Comhthionól.
The '''Caldish Democrats''' ({{wp|Irish language|Ghaillish}}: ''Daonlathaigh Glaíteannach'', commonly referred to in Caldish as ''Daonlathach'', D), is a {{wp|Liberalism|liberal}} [[List of political parties in Caldia|political party in Caldia]]. It is the oldest active political party in Caldia, having been founded in 1857. It was part of the centre-right coalition government led by [[Taoiseach of Caldia|Taoiseach]] [[Jimmy O'Reilly|Simi Ó Raghallaigh]] from 2017 to 2018 and later [[Proin Casarnach]] from 2018 to 2019.


Since its 1937 defeat, the party has often acted as the third or fourth party in the Comhthionól. It has been included once in a government since 1937 under the Liberty-Dems Coalition formed by Taoiseach [[Wallace P. Fitzgerald, Sr.]], lasting from in 1957 to 1962. The party has gradually lost grounds in the legislature, failing to win more than 25 seats since the 1987 Comhthionól election.  
Historically, the party has played a central role in Caldish politics. Prior to the 20th century, it represented the political left. The Caldish Democrats were one of two parties that were able form a government prior to 1935, the other being the now defunct [[National Conservative Party (Caldia)|National Conservative Party]]. After its decline began in the 1930s, it was willing to cooperate with parties on both the political left and the right. Starting in the 1980s, the party positioned itself more towards the right, moving away from the political centre. It supports the [[Euclean Community]], a {{wp|market economy}}, and the protection of {{wp|civil rights}}.


The party generally maintains a platform rooted in social liberal ideals. It supports a {{wp|progressive income tax}}, {{wp|universal healthcare}}, and a comprehensive welfare state. The Glytter Dems are opposed to legalized {{wp|euthanasia}} and Glytter's liberal {{wp|drug laws}}. As such, they remain popular among {{wp|Christians|Sotirians}} and have marketed themselves as a {{wp|Christian democracy|Sotirian democratic}} party. At times, the party has also maintained {{wp|Classic liberalism|classic liberal}} stances and portrayed itself as such. It is the only Glytteronian political party to officially back increased ties with the [[Federation of Asteria|Federation]]-led [[Joint Defense Force]] and supports ending Glytter's century's old policy of {{wp|neutrality}}. The party is also strongly {{wp|Pro-Europeanism|Pro-Eucleanist}} and supports further centralisation of the [[Euclean Community]]. Since the party's defeat in the [[Glytteronian Comhthionól election, 2012|2012 Comhthionól election]], party leader [[Máire Mac Briain]] has moved to bring the party further to the political right in response to the centrist tendencies of Taoiseach [[Alexis Walker]] and the [[Liberty Party (Glytter)|Liberty Party]]. Adjustments to the party's platform on issues such as immigration have changed and the Glytter Democrats now support the implementation of a new, tougher citizenship test. Mac Braiain also introduced support for the restoration of Glytter's national currency, the Crown, and a Glytteronian withdrawal from the Euclozone to the party platform. As a result, leftist activists such as [[Green Party (Glytter)|Greens leader]] [[Blanche O'Patrick]] have accused the party of adopting right-wing and populist rhetoric. However, the party supports an increased in the number asylum seekers admitted on an annual basis, with a particular emphasis on women and children. Since the [[Glytteronian Comhthionól election, 2017|2017 Comhthionól election]] the party has also walked back its support for a withdrawal from the Euclozone after joining the O'Reilly Government. Much of the party's support base consists of middle-class professionals or entrepreneurs in cities and suburbs.  
The Caldish Democrats' popularity has steadily declined since the 1930s. After a brief boost in support, it is now among the smallest party in the [[Tionól]] and sends five TCs. The party is a member of the [[Euclean Liberal Party]] and has no MEPs in the [[Euclean Parliament]].  


Currently the party has sixteen seats in the [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta]] and none in the Seanad Glítteann. The party is currently in government as part of the coalition led by Taoiseach [[Jimmy O'Reilly]]. Previously, the party entered into a supply agreement with the Walker Government in 2012. It is a member of the [[Euclean Parliament#Party groups|Euclean Liberal Party]] and has no MEPs.  
==History==
===Origin===
[[File:Sir Walter Scott Portrait.jpg||thumb|left|150px|Dónall Ó Conaill was the party's founder and first taoiseach.]]
The party was founded in preparation for the 1857 election, the first election to the [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta]]. It originally represented the left-wing of Caldish politics in the 19th century. Laird Chancellor [[Dónall Ó Conaill]] and his supporters held a founding conference in [[Garrafauns]]. The party aimed to reduce {{wp|social inequality}}, improve living conditions, and expand the economy. It was cautiously supportive of {{wp|state-owned enterprise}} and was favored ''{{wp|laissez-faire}}'' economic policy. The party was also {{wp|Antimilitarism|antimilitarist}} and opposed Caldish involvement in Euclean military conflicts. It supported {{wp|universal suffrage}}. They were to the left of the {{wp|conservatism|conservative}} and {{wp|aristocratic}} [[National Conservative Party]]
 
The Caldish Democrats were supported by industrialists, the middle class, and to an extent the working poor. While there was an urban-rural divide in Caldish politics, it initially tended to support the Caldish Democrats. The party had two main factions; the ''uirbeacha'' (urbanists) and ''tuaithach'' (ruralists). Overtime, rural support for the party was lost to the agrarian-focused predecessor of the [[Centre Party (Caldia)|Centre Party]].
 
The party governed from 1857 to 1862, 1967 to 1872, 1877 to 1882, and 1887 to 1897. Early elections in Caldia often saw the Caldish Democrats and National Conservative Party take turns in forming one-term governments. That trend was broken for the first time in 1887, when the Caldish Democrats were re-elected in 1892.
 
===1902-1930s===
[[File:William Butler Yeats by George Charles Beresford.jpg||thumb|right|150px|[[Éamon Ua Buachalla]], leader from 1925-1935.]]
The Caldish Democrats became the dominant party during the early 20th century, forming a series of governments. A split over the issue of {{wp|prohibition}} led to the creation of the Free Party in 1916, resulting in its defeat at the 1917 election.
 
The the party governed throughout the [[Great War (Kylaris)|Great War]] and kept Caldia from participating directly in the conflict. However, [[Occupation of Caldia|Allied forces occupied the nation]] following a joint Estmerish-Weranian invasion in 1927. The government of [[Éamon Ua Buachalla]] did not resist the invasion and accepted the terms of occupation. The occupation was unpopular with much of the population and an [[Quasi-War|insurgency]] began in December 1928. The 1932 election was suspended following an assassination attempt on the Ua Buachalla. Rebels conducted operations against Estmerish and Weranic troops and the Caldish government until the occupation ended in 1935. Ua Buachalla negotiated the terms of withdrawal, which resulted in changes to the electoral system and a ban on political agitators from holding office.
 
The party was defeated in the 1935 election, losing to the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic Party]].
 
===Post-Occupation===
[[File:Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave-Patricks Day 1976.jpg||thumb|left|150px|Oisean Frisealach was the most powerful party leader since 1935.]]
In the years after its defeat, the party began to regain some lost ground. They became the third largest party after the 1947 election and maintained that position for several decades. The party participated in a coalition government under [[Wallace P. Fitzgerald, Sr.|The Duke of Holyhead]] from 1957 to 1962. The party's leader, Oisean Frisealach, served as Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Murphy played a crucial role in Caldia's bid for membership within the [[International Council for Democracy]] and supported further integration with the [[Euclean Community]]. Under Frisealach's leadership, the party was able to prevent Liberty from reversing the Social Democratic Party's policies of {{wp|nationalization}}.
 
Since the 1960s, the party has called for Caldia to pursue closer ties with the International Council for Democracy and the [[Euclean Defence Treaty Organization]]. The party also supported an increase in the amount spent on foreign aid. Throughout the [[Great Game]], the party has been vocally opposed to leftist and nationalist dictatorships established in [[Coius]] and [[Asteria|Asteria Inferior]]. In 1984, party leader Dáithí Ó Seoigh called for international actions against some of the more oppressive regimes and accused Taoiseach [[Patricia Flowers]] of failing to act in the name of human rights. The party has consistently called for the privatization of the state oil company, [[Ríoga Pheitriliam na Ghlítteann|RPG]], and has been a vocal critic of the role oil profits plays in government spending.
 
The party struggled to find support starting in the 1980s when the liberal economic policy promoted by the [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty Party]] drew support away from the Caldish Democrats. The last time the party had more than 25 seats was in 1972. After a low in the 1982 election, the party began to build support between 1987 and 2002, when it had its best electoral performance in 35 years when it won 24 seats.
 
===2002-present===
[[File:Mary Robinson World Economic Forum 2013 crop.jpg||thumb|right|150px|Máire Ní Briain, leader from 2012-2019.]]
Ruairí Mac Cearbhaill was elected as party leader in March 2002 and led the Caldish Democrats to victory in 2004. He positioned the party as a fiscally centrist in opposition to the liberal economic policy of the Liberty Party. Support for the party remained at a similar level in 2007, with the party losing three seats. Mac Cearbhaill initiated talks with [[Alexis Walker]] to form a minority government, but Walker instead formed a majority government with the Centre Party. Support for the party collapsed at the [[2012 Caldish general election|2012 election]] and the party had its worst-ever performance, winning just eight seats. Mac Cearbhaill was replaced by Máire Ní Briain as party leader in June 2012. She agreed to enter into a supply agreement with Walker in support of the Liberty-led minority government.  


==History==
Under her leadership Ní Briain moved positioned the Caldish Democrats to the political right. The party supported policies that restricted immigration, reduce government involvement in the economy, and called for the restoration of Caldia's national currency. It also backed cutting regulations for small and medium businesses and supported subsidies for small business owners. 
 
The party doubled its seat-count in the [[2017 Caldish general election|2017 election]] and joined the Liberty-Centre coalition led by [[Jimmy O'Reilly|Simi Ó Raghallaigh]]. Ní Briain was appointed as [[Cabinet of Caldia|Minister of the Interior]]. This was the first time the party had participated in a government since since 1962. After entering the coalition, the Caldish Democrats ended up supporting efforts to increase immigration to Caldia. The party supported the Immigration Reform Act (IRA) in exchange for a new citizenship test. However, some have accused the party of going back on its promises by supporting the IRA. The party also abandoned its call for Caldia to withdraw from the Euclozone.
 
The Caldish Democrats remained in the coalition after O'Reilly resigned over a diplomatic scandal. The party had hinted it would exit the coalition if the taoiseach did not resign. [[Proin Casarnach]] led the coalition until its collapse in January 2019. A bid-rigging scandal saw Centre and the Caldish Democrats withdraw their support for Casarnach's government. They joined the Centre Party in calling for a new election. The Caldish Democrats were almost eliminated from the Comhthionól after just passing the electoral threshold required to win seats. After the [[2019 Caldish general election|2019 snap election]], the party was left with just five seats. [[Muirís Ó Branagáin]] became party leader in February 2019. In the [[2022 Caldish general election|2022 election]], the party won 10 seats and received 4.8% of the vote, doubling their seat count and nearly doubling their vote share compared to 2019.
 
==Ideology==
The party generally maintains a liberal platform focused on combating social inequality. It has shifted between various liberal positions, ranging from {{wp|social liberalism}} to {{wp|classical liberalism}}. The Caldish Democrats are opposed to legalized {{wp|euthanasia}} and Caldia's liberal {{wp|drug laws}}. As such, they remain popular among {{wp|Christians|Sotirians}} and have at times marketed themselves as a {{wp|Christian democracy|Sotirian democratic}} party.
 
It is the only political party in Caldia that supports joining the [[Euclean Defence Treaty Organization]]. Traditionally, it is {{wp|Pro-Europeanism|pro-Eucleanist}} and supports further centralization of the [[Euclean Community]]. However, under Ní Briain's leadership this began to change. The party began to adopt {{wp|anti-immigration}} positions and backed the restoration of the Caldish coróin. Ní Briain was accused of adopting right-wing policies and rhetoric in order to gain support, something she rejected. Despite the shift in policy, the party abandoned most of its right-wing policy priorities when it joined the Liberty-led coalition in 2017.
 
Since its 2019 defeat, the party has mostly promoted socially liberal policies in opposition to the conservative shift in the Liberty Party's positions. It has returned to its support for deeper Euclean integration.
 
==Voter base and support==
Support for the party is strongest among voters 65 and older and is higher among those who have completed higher education.
 
Historically, the party enjoyed the support of the middle class and the working poor in both urban and rural areas. However, the [[Centre Party (Caldia)|Farmer's Party]] began to draw rural voters in the 1910s and the party lost its rural base. Today, much of the party's base consists of middle-class professionals or entrepreneurs in cities and suburbs.


The party was founded in preparation for the 1857 Comhthionól election, the first election of the [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta]]. It originally represented the left-wing of Glytteronian politics in the 19th century, supporting {{wp|Classical liberalism|classical liberal}} policies such as a free market, strong {{wp|civil liberties}}, and representative democracy. This was in opposition to the National Conservative Party, which was far more traditionalist and had absorbed much of the support of the aristocracy and other elitists. The Glytter Democrats initially came to represent groups such as traders, industrialists, the middle class, and to an extent the working poor. For example, the party supported {{wp|universal suffrage}} from its creation, as opposed to the National Conservatives who supported suffrage only for landowners. Historically, the party was divided into two factions: the Uirbeacha (Urbanists) and Tuaithach (Ruralists). The party enjoyed the support of those in urban areas as well as many labourers in the rural regions of the country. A split over the issue of {{wp|prohibition}} led to the creation of the Democratic Liberal Party in 1916, resulting in its defeat at the 1917 Comhthionól election. The Glytter Democrats were in government for the entire duration of the [[Great War (Kylaris)|Great War]]. Their actions during the war, such as allowing the [[Occupation of Glytter|Allied forces to occupy the nation]], led t the start of the [[Quasi-War]]. After coming under heavy pressure to suspend the 1932 Comhthionól election, the party entered its formal decline and was defeated in a landslide by the newly formed [[Liberty Party (Glytter)|Liberty Party]].
Sotirians have also supported the party for its stances on some social issues.  
[[File:Robert Baumle Meyner.jpg||thumb|left|150px|Ossian Murphy was the most powerful party leader since 1937]]
In the years after its defeat, the Glyt Dems began to regain some lost ground. After the 1942 election they overtook the Social Democrats to become the second largest party. They became the third largest party after the 1947 election and maintained that position until the 1952 election. The party participated in the Liberty-Dems coalition government under [[Wallace P. Fitzgerald, Sr.|The Duke of Holyhead]] from 1957 to 1962. The party's leader, Ossian Murphy, served as Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Murphy played a crucial role in Glytter's bid for membership within the [[International Council for Democracy]] and supported further integration with the [[Euclean Community]]. Under Murphy's leadership, the party was able to prevent Liberty from reversing the Flemming Government's policies of nationalization.  


Since the 1960s, the party has called for Glytter to pursue closer ties with the International Council for Democracy and the Federation-led [[Joint Defense Force]]. The party also supported an increase in the amount spent on foreign aid. Throughout the [[Great Game]], the party has been vocally opposed to leftist and nationalist dictatorships established in [[Coius]] and [[Asteria|Asteria Inferior]]. In 1984, party leader Liam McEvoy called for international actions against some of the more oppressive regimes and accused Taoiseach [[Patricia Flowers]] of failing to act in the name of human rights. The party has consistently called for the privatization of the state oil company, [[Ríoga Pheitriliam na hGlítteann|RPG]], and has been a vocal critic of the role oil profits plays in government spending.  
The party was accused of abandoning its liberal ideology by moving to the right wing following the 2012 election. Ní Briain moved her party to the right on immigration, crime, and education. While  these tactics may have helped doubled the party's support in the 2017 election, it was accused of betraying its liberal origins. In 2016, ''[[Státaire]]'s'' editorial board said the party had strayed too far from its founder, [[Dónall Ó Conaill]], and questioned the future of Caldia's oldest party. Despite the controversy, the party largely dropped right-wing positions when it entered into government in 2017.  


Since 1987, the party has failed to secure more than 25 seats in the legislature. The part continued its declined well into the 1990s when the [[Social Democratic Party (Glytter)|Social Democrats]] began to adopt {{wp|Third Way}} positions, competing directly with the socially liberal platform of the Glytter Democrats. Rory Flanagan led the party to its biggest victory since the 1980s when the party secured 19 seats in the 2002 election. Moderate voters who supported outgoing Taoiseach Morgan Leneghan backed the Glyt Dems after a leadership coup prevented Leneghan from pursing a third term and the leftist wing of the SDs swung the platform to the left. It gained two additional seats in the 2007 election. However, support for the Glyt Dems collapsed in the [[Glytteronian Comhthionól election, 2012|2012 election]]. The party found it difficult to resonate with voters due to the centrist positions of Taoiseach [[Alexis Walker]], who led a coalition government with the [[Centre Party (Glytter)|Centre Party]]. Party leader [[Máire Mac Briain]] was chosen from the party's more traditional classic liberal wing in an attempt to swing the party to the right to attract more voters. Under the leadership of Máire Mac Briain, the Glytter Democrats adopted policies that would restrict immigration and called for the restoration of Glytter's national currency, the Crown, and a Glytteronian withdrawal from the Euclozone. Policies that favored small and medium businesses which would see regulations cut and government subsidized incentives were also adopted. Mac Briain agreed to a supply agreement with Walker following brief negotiations in June 2012. The party gained seats in the [[Glytteronian Comhthionól election, 2017|2017 election]] and joined the Liberty-Centre coalition led by [[Jimmy O'Reilly]]. Mac Briain was appointed Minister of the Interior and the Glytter Democrats were in government for the first time since 1962. After entering the coalition, the Glyt Dems ended up supporting efforts to increase immigration to Glytter by Taoiseach [[Jimmy O'Reilly]]. The party supported the Immigration Reform Act (IRA) in exchange for a new citizenship test. However, some have accused the party of going back on its promises by supporting the IRA. It has also abandoned its call for Glytter to withdraw from the Euclozone.
==Electoral results==
===[[Comhthionól Náisiúnta]]===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election year
! Votes
! %
! # of overall seats won
! +/-
! Government
|-
! 1982
| 222,281
| 4.23 (#5)
| {{Composition bar|9|399|#ffff33}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty]] government}}
|-
! 1987
| 312,486
| 5.83 (#5)
| {{Composition bar|12|399|#ffff33}}
| {{increase}} 3
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty]] government}}
|-
! 1992
| 566,469
| 10.38 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|22|399|#ffff33}}
| {{increase}} 10
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]] government}}
|-
! 1997
| 506,758
| 8.91 (#4)
| {{Composition bar|19|399|#ffff33}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]]-[[The Greens (Caldia)|Green]] minority government}}
|-
! 2002
| 652,527
| 11.20 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|24|399|#ffff33}}
| {{increase}} 5
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty]] government}}
|-
! 2007
| 610,246
| 9.39 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|21|399|#ffff33}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty]]-[[Centre Party (Caldia)|Centre]] government}}
|-
! [[2012 Caldish general election|2012]]
| 277,011
| 4.07 (#7)
| {{Composition bar|8|399|#ffff33}}
| {{decrease}} 13
| {{partial|supporting [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty]]-[[Centre Party (Caldia)|Centre]] minority government}}
|-
! [[2017 Caldish general election|2017]]
| 518,054
| 7.67 (#6)
| {{Composition bar|16|399|#ffff33}}
| {{increase}} 8
| {{yes2|in government as junior coalition partner to [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty]]}}
|-
! [[2019 Caldish general election|2019]]
| 161,549
| 2.51 (#7)
| {{Composition bar|5|399|#ffff33}}
| {{decrease}} 11
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]] government}}
|-
! [[2022 Caldish general election|2022]]
| 240,521
| 4.8 (#5)
| {{Composition bar|10|399|Orange}}
| {{increase}} 5
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]] minority government}}
|-
|}


==Electoral history==
===[[Euclean Parliament]]===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election year
! Votes
! %
! # of overall seats won
! +/-
! Government
|-
! [[2019 Euclean Parliament election|2019]]
| 135,123
| 2.72 (#8)
| {{Composition bar|0|20|#ffff33}}
| -
| {{yes2|extra-parliamentary support for government}}
|-
|}


==Leaders==
==Party leaders==
[[File:Muirís_Ó_Branagáin.jpg||thumb|right|150px|[[Muirís Ó Branagáin]], the current party leader.]]
*[[Dónall Ó Conaill]] (April 1857 - June 1872)
*[[Dónall Ó Conaill]] (April 1857 - June 1872)
*Maureen Guinness (June 1972 - August 1882)
*Máirín Nic Aonghusa (June 1972 - August 1882)
*Eamon Brady (August 1882 - July 1897)
*Séamus Domhnach (August 1882 - July 1897)
*Conán Ó Faoláin (July 1897 - April 1906)
*Conán Ó Faoláin (July 1897 - April 1906)
*John McNamara (April 1906 - June 1907)
*John McNamara (April 1906 - June 1907)
*Saorla Ní Chonaill (June 1907- June 1917)
*Saorla Ní Chonaill (June 1907- June 1917)
*Liam Mahoney (June 1917 - November 1925)
*Liam Ó Mathuna(June 1917 - November 1925)
*[[Éamon Ua Buachalla]] (November 1925 - June 1937)
*[[Éamon Ua Buachalla]] (November 1925 - June 1937)
*Niall Ó Flannagáin (June 1937 - July 1947)
*Niall Ó Flannagáin (June 1937 - July 1947)
*Ossian Murphy (July 1947 - June 1962)
*Oisean Frisealach (July 1947 - October 1975)
*Sheila Canavan (June 1962 - October 1975)
*Dáithí Ó Seoigh (October 1975 - September 1987)
*Liam McEvoy (October 1975 - June 1992)
*Caitlín Nic an t-Saoir (September 1987 - March 1997)
*Caitlín Nic an t-Saoir (June 1992 - March 2002)
*Ruairí Mac Cearbhaill (March 2002 - June 2012)
*Rory Flanagan (March 2002 - June 2012)
*[[Máire Ní Briain]] (June 2012 - February 2019)
*[[Máire Mac Briain]] (June 2012 - present)
*Muirís Ó Branagáin (February 2019 - present)


[[Category:Political Parties in Glytter]]
{{Political parties in Caldia}}
[[Category:Political parties in Caldia]]

Latest revision as of 15:18, 28 July 2023

Caldish Democrats
Daonlathaigh Glaíteannach
LeaderMuirís Ó Branagáin
Founded1857
HeadquartersSpálgleann, Caldia
Youth wingYoung Democrats
IdeologyLiberalism
Social Liberalism
Classic Liberalism
Political positionCentre to Centre-right
International affiliationLiberal Democrat International
Euclean Parliament groupForward Euclea
Euclean partyEuclean Liberal Party
Colours  Orange (current)
  Yellow (traditional)
Tionól
10 / 389
Euclean Parliament
0 / 20
Regional Councils
28 / 510

The Caldish Democrats (Ghaillish: Daonlathaigh Glaíteannach, commonly referred to in Caldish as Daonlathach, D), is a liberal political party in Caldia. It is the oldest active political party in Caldia, having been founded in 1857. It was part of the centre-right coalition government led by Taoiseach Simi Ó Raghallaigh from 2017 to 2018 and later Proin Casarnach from 2018 to 2019.

Historically, the party has played a central role in Caldish politics. Prior to the 20th century, it represented the political left. The Caldish Democrats were one of two parties that were able form a government prior to 1935, the other being the now defunct National Conservative Party. After its decline began in the 1930s, it was willing to cooperate with parties on both the political left and the right. Starting in the 1980s, the party positioned itself more towards the right, moving away from the political centre. It supports the Euclean Community, a market economy, and the protection of civil rights.

The Caldish Democrats' popularity has steadily declined since the 1930s. After a brief boost in support, it is now among the smallest party in the Tionól and sends five TCs. The party is a member of the Euclean Liberal Party and has no MEPs in the Euclean Parliament.

History

Origin

Dónall Ó Conaill was the party's founder and first taoiseach.

The party was founded in preparation for the 1857 election, the first election to the Comhthionól Náisiúnta. It originally represented the left-wing of Caldish politics in the 19th century. Laird Chancellor Dónall Ó Conaill and his supporters held a founding conference in Garrafauns. The party aimed to reduce social inequality, improve living conditions, and expand the economy. It was cautiously supportive of state-owned enterprise and was favored laissez-faire economic policy. The party was also antimilitarist and opposed Caldish involvement in Euclean military conflicts. It supported universal suffrage. They were to the left of the conservative and aristocratic National Conservative Party

The Caldish Democrats were supported by industrialists, the middle class, and to an extent the working poor. While there was an urban-rural divide in Caldish politics, it initially tended to support the Caldish Democrats. The party had two main factions; the uirbeacha (urbanists) and tuaithach (ruralists). Overtime, rural support for the party was lost to the agrarian-focused predecessor of the Centre Party.

The party governed from 1857 to 1862, 1967 to 1872, 1877 to 1882, and 1887 to 1897. Early elections in Caldia often saw the Caldish Democrats and National Conservative Party take turns in forming one-term governments. That trend was broken for the first time in 1887, when the Caldish Democrats were re-elected in 1892.

1902-1930s

Éamon Ua Buachalla, leader from 1925-1935.

The Caldish Democrats became the dominant party during the early 20th century, forming a series of governments. A split over the issue of prohibition led to the creation of the Free Party in 1916, resulting in its defeat at the 1917 election.

The the party governed throughout the Great War and kept Caldia from participating directly in the conflict. However, Allied forces occupied the nation following a joint Estmerish-Weranian invasion in 1927. The government of Éamon Ua Buachalla did not resist the invasion and accepted the terms of occupation. The occupation was unpopular with much of the population and an insurgency began in December 1928. The 1932 election was suspended following an assassination attempt on the Ua Buachalla. Rebels conducted operations against Estmerish and Weranic troops and the Caldish government until the occupation ended in 1935. Ua Buachalla negotiated the terms of withdrawal, which resulted in changes to the electoral system and a ban on political agitators from holding office.

The party was defeated in the 1935 election, losing to the Social Democratic Party.

Post-Occupation

Oisean Frisealach was the most powerful party leader since 1935.

In the years after its defeat, the party began to regain some lost ground. They became the third largest party after the 1947 election and maintained that position for several decades. The party participated in a coalition government under The Duke of Holyhead from 1957 to 1962. The party's leader, Oisean Frisealach, served as Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Murphy played a crucial role in Caldia's bid for membership within the International Council for Democracy and supported further integration with the Euclean Community. Under Frisealach's leadership, the party was able to prevent Liberty from reversing the Social Democratic Party's policies of nationalization.

Since the 1960s, the party has called for Caldia to pursue closer ties with the International Council for Democracy and the Euclean Defence Treaty Organization. The party also supported an increase in the amount spent on foreign aid. Throughout the Great Game, the party has been vocally opposed to leftist and nationalist dictatorships established in Coius and Asteria Inferior. In 1984, party leader Dáithí Ó Seoigh called for international actions against some of the more oppressive regimes and accused Taoiseach Patricia Flowers of failing to act in the name of human rights. The party has consistently called for the privatization of the state oil company, RPG, and has been a vocal critic of the role oil profits plays in government spending.

The party struggled to find support starting in the 1980s when the liberal economic policy promoted by the Liberty Party drew support away from the Caldish Democrats. The last time the party had more than 25 seats was in 1972. After a low in the 1982 election, the party began to build support between 1987 and 2002, when it had its best electoral performance in 35 years when it won 24 seats.

2002-present

Máire Ní Briain, leader from 2012-2019.

Ruairí Mac Cearbhaill was elected as party leader in March 2002 and led the Caldish Democrats to victory in 2004. He positioned the party as a fiscally centrist in opposition to the liberal economic policy of the Liberty Party. Support for the party remained at a similar level in 2007, with the party losing three seats. Mac Cearbhaill initiated talks with Alexis Walker to form a minority government, but Walker instead formed a majority government with the Centre Party. Support for the party collapsed at the 2012 election and the party had its worst-ever performance, winning just eight seats. Mac Cearbhaill was replaced by Máire Ní Briain as party leader in June 2012. She agreed to enter into a supply agreement with Walker in support of the Liberty-led minority government.

Under her leadership Ní Briain moved positioned the Caldish Democrats to the political right. The party supported policies that restricted immigration, reduce government involvement in the economy, and called for the restoration of Caldia's national currency. It also backed cutting regulations for small and medium businesses and supported subsidies for small business owners.

The party doubled its seat-count in the 2017 election and joined the Liberty-Centre coalition led by Simi Ó Raghallaigh. Ní Briain was appointed as Minister of the Interior. This was the first time the party had participated in a government since since 1962. After entering the coalition, the Caldish Democrats ended up supporting efforts to increase immigration to Caldia. The party supported the Immigration Reform Act (IRA) in exchange for a new citizenship test. However, some have accused the party of going back on its promises by supporting the IRA. The party also abandoned its call for Caldia to withdraw from the Euclozone.

The Caldish Democrats remained in the coalition after O'Reilly resigned over a diplomatic scandal. The party had hinted it would exit the coalition if the taoiseach did not resign. Proin Casarnach led the coalition until its collapse in January 2019. A bid-rigging scandal saw Centre and the Caldish Democrats withdraw their support for Casarnach's government. They joined the Centre Party in calling for a new election. The Caldish Democrats were almost eliminated from the Comhthionól after just passing the electoral threshold required to win seats. After the 2019 snap election, the party was left with just five seats. Muirís Ó Branagáin became party leader in February 2019. In the 2022 election, the party won 10 seats and received 4.8% of the vote, doubling their seat count and nearly doubling their vote share compared to 2019.

Ideology

The party generally maintains a liberal platform focused on combating social inequality. It has shifted between various liberal positions, ranging from social liberalism to classical liberalism. The Caldish Democrats are opposed to legalized euthanasia and Caldia's liberal drug laws. As such, they remain popular among Sotirians and have at times marketed themselves as a Sotirian democratic party.

It is the only political party in Caldia that supports joining the Euclean Defence Treaty Organization. Traditionally, it is pro-Eucleanist and supports further centralization of the Euclean Community. However, under Ní Briain's leadership this began to change. The party began to adopt anti-immigration positions and backed the restoration of the Caldish coróin. Ní Briain was accused of adopting right-wing policies and rhetoric in order to gain support, something she rejected. Despite the shift in policy, the party abandoned most of its right-wing policy priorities when it joined the Liberty-led coalition in 2017.

Since its 2019 defeat, the party has mostly promoted socially liberal policies in opposition to the conservative shift in the Liberty Party's positions. It has returned to its support for deeper Euclean integration.

Voter base and support

Support for the party is strongest among voters 65 and older and is higher among those who have completed higher education.

Historically, the party enjoyed the support of the middle class and the working poor in both urban and rural areas. However, the Farmer's Party began to draw rural voters in the 1910s and the party lost its rural base. Today, much of the party's base consists of middle-class professionals or entrepreneurs in cities and suburbs.

Sotirians have also supported the party for its stances on some social issues.

The party was accused of abandoning its liberal ideology by moving to the right wing following the 2012 election. Ní Briain moved her party to the right on immigration, crime, and education. While these tactics may have helped doubled the party's support in the 2017 election, it was accused of betraying its liberal origins. In 2016, Státaire's editorial board said the party had strayed too far from its founder, Dónall Ó Conaill, and questioned the future of Caldia's oldest party. Despite the controversy, the party largely dropped right-wing positions when it entered into government in 2017.

Electoral results

Comhthionól Náisiúnta

Election year Votes % # of overall seats won +/- Government
1982 222,281 4.23 (#5)
9 / 399
 Decrease 3 in opposition to Liberty government
1987 312,486 5.83 (#5)
12 / 399
 Increase 3 in opposition to Liberty government
1992 566,469 10.38 (#3)
22 / 399
 Increase 10 in opposition to Social Democratic government
1997 506,758 8.91 (#4)
19 / 399
 Decrease 3 in opposition to Social Democratic-Green minority government
2002 652,527 11.20 (#3)
24 / 399
 Increase 5 in opposition to Liberty government
2007 610,246 9.39 (#3)
21 / 399
 Decrease 3 in opposition to Liberty-Centre government
2012 277,011 4.07 (#7)
8 / 399
 Decrease 13 supporting Liberty-Centre minority government
2017 518,054 7.67 (#6)
16 / 399
 Increase 8 in government as junior coalition partner to Liberty
2019 161,549 2.51 (#7)
5 / 399
 Decrease 11 in opposition to Social Democratic government
2022 240,521 4.8 (#5)
10 / 399
 Increase 5 in opposition to Social Democratic minority government

Euclean Parliament

Election year Votes % # of overall seats won +/- Government
2019 135,123 2.72 (#8)
0 / 20
 - extra-parliamentary support for government

Party leaders

Muirís Ó Branagáin, the current party leader.
  • Dónall Ó Conaill (April 1857 - June 1872)
  • Máirín Nic Aonghusa (June 1972 - August 1882)
  • Séamus Domhnach (August 1882 - July 1897)
  • Conán Ó Faoláin (July 1897 - April 1906)
  • John McNamara (April 1906 - June 1907)
  • Saorla Ní Chonaill (June 1907- June 1917)
  • Liam Ó Mathuna(June 1917 - November 1925)
  • Éamon Ua Buachalla (November 1925 - June 1937)
  • Niall Ó Flannagáin (June 1937 - July 1947)
  • Oisean Frisealach (July 1947 - October 1975)
  • Dáithí Ó Seoigh (October 1975 - September 1987)
  • Caitlín Nic an t-Saoir (September 1987 - March 1997)
  • Ruairí Mac Cearbhaill (March 2002 - June 2012)
  • Máire Ní Briain (June 2012 - February 2019)
  • Muirís Ó Branagáin (February 2019 - present)
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