Social Democratic Union (Besmenia)
Social Democratic Union Sozialdemokratische Union | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | SDU |
| Leader | Ivar Combrinck |
| General Secretary | Dagmar Herber |
| Founded | 30 May 1901 |
| Headquarters | Glotstraße 63, Laitstadt |
| Ideology | |
| Federal Chamber | 70 / 443
|
| Governors of states | 1 / 14
|
| Federal Senate | 14 / 64
|
| Seats in the state parliaments | 257 / 1,488
|
| State governments | 7 / 14
|
| Party flag | |
| File:Flag of the SDU.png | |
The Social Democratic Union (Besmenian: Sozialdemokratische Union) is a centre-left social democratic party in Besmenia. The SDU is the oldest active party in Besmenia since the Besmenian Conservative Party (founded in 1834) was dissolved in 1986.
The SDU was founded in 1901 in the Kingdom of Besmenia. Shortly after the foundation of the Federal Republic of Besmenia on July 2, 1920, a sister party named "East-SDU" was establishment. After the SDU was 1923 banned in West Besmenia under the Ochsenbein regime, the East-SDU in East Besmenia became the main party.
The SDU was involved in the federal government from 1920 to 1932, from 1936 to 1940, from 1948 to 1972, from 1980 to 1993, from 2001 to 2005, from 2012 to 2016 and since 2021, making the SDU one of the longest-ruling parties in the Besmenian federal government. Only from 1964 to 1972 was the SDU under Johannes Schmidt the leading party in the federal government. In the other years of its participation in government, the party was a junior partner under the BDP, BVP, LBB and the FBBP.
Ideology and policies
Foreign policy
The SDU sees peacekeeping and international understanding at the center of its foreign policy. In doing so, it builds on dialogue and civil conflict settlement. The party wants to secure human rights. The SDU only supports military operations by the Besmenian Federal Army if all means of diplomacy have been used sufficiently and no solution has been found. The party rejects arms exports to dictatorships.
Domestic policy
Domestic policy should respect and secure the freedom and security of citizens. Thus, through domestic politics, coexistence in society should be guaranteed. Crime is to be fought and the security apparatus expanded without violating civil rights. The integration of immigrants is welcomed. The state should guarantee participation and equal opportunities for migrants. The SDU wants to achieve a culture of welcome. Educational qualifications obtained abroad should therefore also be recognized in Besmenia and given dual citizenship. Asylum seekers are to be taken in by Besmenia and municipalities are to be given more support by the federal government in their financial burden.
Family policy
The SDU recognizes and welcomes the change in the roles of men, women and the classic family image towards more flexible and individual life plans. Families are to be encouraged more specifically in their individual designs.
Economic policy
The SDU stands for an economic policy that is about the common good and progress. The party advocates the social market economy as the economic system in Besmenia.
History
1901-1920
1920-1960
1960-1977 (Schmidt leadership)
1977-1998
1998-present
Chairpersons of the SDU since 1901
| Leader | Year | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Polt | 1901–1910 | ||
| 2 | Wilhelm Dantick | 1910–1915 | ||
| 3 | Wilhelm Dantick | 1910–1915 | ||
| 4 | Olaf Wachserheim | 1917–1922 | ||
| 5 | Peter Gruber | 1920–1935 | Chairman of East-SDU, 1920-1922 | |
| 6 | Josef Brocke | 1935-1946 | ||
| 7 | Heinrich Farn | 1946-1960 | ||
| 8 | Johannes Schmidt | 1960-1977 | ||
| 9 | Friedrich von Benger | 1977-1984 | ||
| 10 | Doris Klammer-Brunt | 1984-1993 | ||
| 11 | Wolfgang Weber | 1993-1997 | ||
| 12 | Rudolf Dietrich | 1997-2005 | ||
| 13 | Angelika Kahmwald | 2005-2011 | ||
| 14 | Walter Fricke | 2011-2020 | ||
| 15 | Ivar Combrinck | Since 2020 | ||
Regional associations
The Social Democratic Union is divided into 14 state groups. The SDU is represented in all 14 state chambers.