Movement for a Democratic Slovakia
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People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia
Ľudová strana – Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko |
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| Leader | Last: Vladimír Mečiar |
| Founded | 27 April 1991 |
| Dissolved | 11 January 2014 |
| Headquarters | Bratislava, Slovakia |
| Ideology |
National conservatism Social conservatism Populism |
| Political position | Centre |
| European affiliation | European Democratic Party |
| International affiliation | None (member of the Alliance of Democrats) |
| European Parliament group | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (2009-2014) |
| Colours | White, Blue, Red (Colours of the Slovak flag) |
The People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (Slovak: Ľudová strana – Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko, ĽS-HZDS) was a national conservative political party in Slovakia. The party was dissolved after it failed to secure any seats in the National Council in the 2012 elections, having lost them in the 2010 election. The party was in the government from 1992 to 1998 (with a short break in 1994), and was the largest party from 1991 to 2006.
Founded in 1991, its leader is Vladimír Mečiar, who, as Prime Minister, led Slovakia through the Velvet Divorce. The party has been a member of the Slovak government three times: twice as the leading partner with Mečiar as Prime Minister (1992–4, 1994–8) and from 2006 - 2010 as the junior partner under Robert Fico of Direction – Social Democracy.
Founded in opposition to privatisation, the party's ideology has shifted repeatedly, with the only constants being Mečiar's leadership and a populism that alienated it from other parties in Slovakia and abroad. To overcome its previous reputation as a 'pariah', the party has touted its support of European integration. It was a member of the integrationist European Democratic Party, despite not sharing the liberal ideology of that organisation.
The party was created as a Slovak nationalist faction of Public Against Violence (VPN), from which it seceded at an extraordinary VPN congress on 27 April 1991. Called 'Movement for a Democratic Slovakia' (HZDS), it was led by Vladimír Mečiar, who had been deposed as Slovak Prime Minister a month earlier, and composed mostly of the VPN's cabinet members. The HZDS claimed to represent Slovak national interest, and demanded a more decentralised Czechoslovak confederation. On 7 May 1992, the HZDS voted for a declaration of independence, but this was defeated 73-57.
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