International Democracy Union
In a world often divided by political ideologies, the International Democracy Union (IDU) stands as a significant global alliance, uniting centre-right and right-wing political parties from across 65 countries. Since its inception in the midst of the Cold War, the IDU has played a crucial, though often quiet, role in shaping conservative policy and promoting democratic values worldwide. Discover how this powerful network connects leaders and shares strategies to advance its vision for global governance. The International Democracy Union serves as a vital global network, connecting centre-right and right-wing political parties worldwide to share ideas and coordinate strategies. Founded in 1983 with significant backing from figures like George H. W. Bush, the IDU emerged as a key player in solidifying conservative international cooperation during the Cold War. Beyond policy discussions, the IDU actively supports its member parties by sharing campaign technology, fundraising techniques, and other crucial resources to enhance their political effectiveness.
AI Summary
In a world often divided by political ideologies, the International Democracy Union (IDU) stands as a significant global alliance, uniting centre-right and right-wing political parties from across 65 countries. Since its inception in the midst of the Cold War, the IDU has played a crucial, though often quiet, role in shaping conservative policy and promoting democratic values worldwide. Discover how this powerful network connects leaders and shares strategies to advance its vision for global governance.
- The International Democracy Union serves as a vital global network, connecting centre-right and right-wing political parties worldwide to share ideas and coordinate strategies.
- Founded in 1983 with significant backing from figures like George H. W. Bush, the IDU emerged as a key player in solidifying conservative international cooperation during the Cold War.
- Beyond policy discussions, the IDU actively supports its member parties by sharing campaign technology, fundraising techniques, and other crucial resources to enhance their political effectiveness.
A Global Network for the Centre-Right
Imagine a vast, international club where political parties from around the globe come together, not to compete, but to collaborate. That's essentially the International Democracy Union, or IDU. It's an alliance of centre-right to right-wing political parties, currently boasting 84 full and associate members across 65 countries.
Based in Munich, Germany, the IDU acts as a crucial forum. Here, conservative parties can establish contacts, discuss public policy, and find common ground on critical global issues. Their core mission is clear: to champion democracy and promote centre-right policies across continents.
Born in the Shadow of the Cold War
The IDU wasn't just born; it was instigated. In the early 1980s, amidst the intense ideological struggles of the Cold War, there was a palpable desire to strengthen the international conservative movement. This vision was championed by influential figures, including the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and then-U.S. Vice President George H. W. Bush.
The alliance officially came to life in London on June 24, 1983. It emerged as an umbrella organization for existing regional bodies like the European Democrat Union and the Asia Pacific Democrat Union, creating a truly global conservative force.
Founding Visionaries
The founding declaration was a testament to the IDU's ambition, signed by prominent political leaders who would go on to shape their nations and the world. Think of names like Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom and Helmut Kohl of West Germany — titans of conservative politics at the time.
Other key signatories included Jacques Chirac from France and Frank Fahrenkopf, representing the Republican Party in the United States. These leaders shared a common conviction: that a united, principled centre-right voice was essential for global stability and progress.
Who Gets In?
Membership in the IDU isn't just open to any party. According to Richard V. Allen, a former National Security Advisor, a party must qualify as a 'mainstream conservative' organization. This often means embracing principles influenced by classical liberalism, emphasizing individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.
More Than Just Talk: Sharing Resources
The IDU isn't solely a talking shop. It actively facilitates the sharing of crucial resources and expertise among its member parties. This can be a game-changer for political campaigns, especially for smaller parties or those in developing democracies.
Members benefit from shared knowledge on diverse aspects of political campaigning, including campaign technology, sophisticated fundraising techniques, public opinion polling, and effective advertising strategies. This collaborative approach helps strengthen conservative movements globally.
Influence and Power Brokers
The IDU's impact has deep roots. A 1985 CIA memo, for instance, noted that the Republican Party in the U.S. and Japan's Liberal Democratic Party collectively provided half of the organization's funding at the time. This highlights the early backing from major global players.
Interestingly, several leaders of IDU member parties—such as Viktor Orbán, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Donald Trump—have reportedly gained political traction with assistance from strategist Arthur J. Finkelstein. This suggests a consistent approach to campaign strategy across the alliance.
Leadership Across Continents
Currently, the IDU is chaired by Stephen Harper, the former Prime Minister of Canada, bringing significant international political experience to the role. This leadership often rotates among prominent figures from its member parties.
A notable trend in the IDU's history is that since 1997, all chairmen have hailed from the 'Anglosphere' — the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. This reflects a particular geographical and cultural weighting in its recent leadership.
Regional Arms of the Alliance
To manage its vast global reach, the IDU operates with several affiliated international and regional organizations. These bodies allow for more focused discussions and collaborations tailored to specific geographic or demographic contexts.
These include specialized groups such as:
International Young Democrat Union (youth wing) International Women's Democracy Union (women's wing) SME Global (small and medium-sized enterprise focus)
And crucial regional groupings like:
Union of Latin American Parties (UPLA) Asia Pacific Democrat Union (APDU) Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) Democrat Union of Africa (DUA) European People's Party (EPP) European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR)
These regional unions are where much of the localized strategy and policy discussion takes place, ensuring the IDU's principles are adapted and applied effectively in diverse political landscapes around the world.
Article
International Democracy Union
The International Democracy Union (IDU; known as the International Democrat Union until September 2023) is an international alliance of centre-right to right-wing political parties. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, the IDU consists of 84 full and associate members from 65 countries. It is chaired by Stephen Harper, former prime minister of Canada. It has three affiliated international organizations (International Young Democrat Union, International Women's Democracy Union and SME Global) and six affiliated regional organizations (Union of Latin American Parties, Asia Pacific Democrat Union, Caribbean Democrat Union, Democrat Union of Africa, European People's Party and European Conservatives and Reformists Party).
The IDU allows "centre-right" conservative political parties around the world to establish contacts and discuss different views on public policy and related matters. Their stated goal is the promotion of "democracy and [of] centre-right policies around the globe". The IDU has some overlap of member parties with the Centrist Democrat International (CDI), but the CDI is more centrist, Christian democrat and communitarian than the IDU.
The group was founded in 1983 as the umbrella organisation for the European Democrat Union (EDU), Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU), and the Asia Pacific Democrat Union (APDU). Created at the instigation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and U.S. Vice President George H. W. Bush, the organisation was founded at a joint meeting of the EDU and APDU in London, United Kingdom.
Founding
International Democracy Union
The IDU was founded in London on 24 June 1983. According to Richard V. Allen, to be admitted as a member, a party must qualify as a "mainstream conservative" party influenced by classical liberalism.
The founding declaration was signed by 19 persons:
<table><thead><tr><th>Person</th><th>Party</th><th>Country</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Alois Mock</td><td>Austrian People's Party</td><td>Austria</td></tr><tr><td>Margaret Thatcher</td><td>Conservative Party</td><td>United Kingdom</td></tr><tr><td>Helmut Kohl</td><td>Christian Democratic Union of Germany</td><td>West Germany</td></tr><tr><td>Franz Josef Strauss</td><td>Christian Social Union in Bavaria</td></tr><tr><td>Jacques Chirac</td><td>Rally for the Republic</td><td>France</td></tr><tr><td>Andrew Peacock</td><td>Liberal Party of Australia</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Evangelos Averoff-Tossizza</td><td>New Democracy</td><td>Greece</td></tr><tr><td>Manuel Fraga</td><td>People's Alliance</td><td>Spain</td></tr><tr><td>Oscar Alzaga</td><td>People's Democratic Party</td></tr><tr><td>Susanne Wood</td><td>New Zealand National Party</td><td>New Zealand</td></tr><tr><td>Glafcos Clerides</td><td>Democratic Rally</td><td>Cyprus</td></tr><tr><td>Ilkka Suominen</td><td>National Coalition Party</td><td>Finland</td></tr><tr><td>Lucas Pires</td><td>CDS – People's Party</td><td>Portugal</td></tr><tr><td>Tatsuo Tanaka</td><td>Liberal Democratic Party</td><td>Japan</td></tr><tr><td>Ulf Adelsohn</td><td>Moderate Party</td><td>Sweden</td></tr><tr><td>Erik Nielsen</td><td>Progressive Conservative Party of Canada</td><td>Canada</td></tr><tr><td>Poul Schlüter</td><td>Conservative People's Party</td><td>Denmark</td></tr><tr><td>Jo Benkow</td><td>Conservative Party</td><td>Norway</td></tr><tr><td>Frank Fahrenkopf</td><td>Republican Party</td><td>United States</td></tr></tbody></table>
History and activities
International Democracy Union
According to a 1985 CIA memo, the Republican Party and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan had provided half of all funding for the organization at the time. Several leaders of member parties had gained political power with help from Arthur J. Finkelstein, such as Viktor Orbán, Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump. The IDU shares resources with its members on "campaign technology, fund-raising techniques, opinion polling, advertising and campaign organization". The Conservative Party of Canada and the Republican Party had closely collaborated on resources and strategy during the 2000s and 2010s.
Member parties
Full members
<table><thead><tr><th>Country</th><th>Party</th><th>Abbreviation</th><th>Government</th><th>Lower Chamber</th><th>Upper Chamber</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> Albania</td><td>Democratic Party of Albania</td><td>PD</td><td>Opposition</td><td>59 / 140 (42%)</td></tr><tr><td>Republican Party of Albania</td><td>PR</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 140 (1%)</td></tr><tr><td> Argentina</td><td>Republican Proposal</td><td>PRO</td><td>Opposition</td><td>37 / 257 (14%)</td><td>6 / 72 (8%)</td></tr><tr><td> Australia</td><td>Liberal Party of Australia</td><td>LIB</td><td>Opposition</td><td>28 / 150 (19%)</td><td>25 / 76 (33%)</td></tr><tr><td> Austria</td><td>Austrian People's Party</td><td>ÖVP</td><td>Government</td><td>51 / 183 (28%)</td><td>22 / 60 (37%)</td></tr><tr><td> Azerbaijan</td><td>Azerbaijan National Independence Party</td><td>AMIP</td><td>Support</td><td>1 / 125 (0.8%)</td></tr><tr><td>Belarus</td><td>The BPF Party</td><td>BPF</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 110 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td>United Civic Party</td><td>UCP</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 110 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> Belgium</td><td>New Flemish Alliance</td><td>N-VA</td><td>Government</td><td>24 / 150 (16%)</td><td>9 / 60 (15%)</td></tr><tr><td> Bolivia</td><td>Social Democratic Movement</td><td>MDS</td><td>Government</td><td>39 / 130 (30%)</td><td>12 / 36 (33%)</td></tr><tr><td> Bosnia and Herzegovina</td><td>Party of Democratic Progress</td><td>PDP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 42 (5%)</td><td>1 / 15 (7%)</td></tr><tr><td>Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina</td><td>HDZ</td><td>Government</td><td>4 / 42 (10%)</td><td>3 / 15 (20%)</td></tr><tr><td> Brazil</td><td>Brazil Union</td><td>UNIÃO</td><td>Independent</td><td>59 / 513 (12%)</td><td>7 / 81 (9%)</td></tr><tr><td> Bulgaria</td><td>GERB</td><td>GERB</td><td>Government</td><td>66 / 240 (28%)</td></tr><tr><td> Canada</td><td>Conservative Party of Canada</td><td>CPC / PCC</td><td>Opposition</td><td>141 / 343 (41%)</td><td>14 / 105 (13%)</td></tr><tr><td> Chile</td><td>Independent Democratic Union</td><td>UDI</td><td>Government</td><td>18 / 155 (12%)</td><td>5 / 50 (10%)</td></tr><tr><td>National Renewal</td><td>RN</td><td>Government</td><td>13 / 155 (8%)</td><td>8 / 50 (16%)</td></tr><tr><td> Costa Rica</td><td>Social Christian Unity Party</td><td>PUSC</td><td>Opposition</td><td>9 / 57 (16%)</td></tr><tr><td>Colombia</td><td>Colombian Conservative Party</td><td>PCC</td><td>Opposition</td><td>25 / 188 (13%)</td><td>15 / 108 (14%)</td></tr><tr><td> Cyprus</td><td>Democratic Rally</td><td>DISY</td><td>Government</td><td>17 / 56 (30%)</td></tr><tr><td> Czech Republic</td><td>Civic Democratic Party</td><td>ODS</td><td>Opposition</td><td>34 / 200 (17%)</td><td>21 / 81 (26%)</td></tr><tr><td>TOP 09</td><td>TOP 09</td><td>Opposition</td><td>14 / 200 (7%)</td><td>4 / 81 (5%)</td></tr><tr><td>Croatia</td><td>Croatian Democratic Union</td><td>HDZ</td><td>Government</td><td>55 / 151 (36%)</td></tr><tr><td>Cuba</td><td>Christian Democratic Party of Cuba</td><td>PDC</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 470 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td>Assembly of the Cuban Resistance</td><td>ACR</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 470 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> Denmark</td><td>Conservative People's Party</td><td>DKF</td><td>Opposition</td><td>10 / 179 (6%)</td></tr><tr><td> Dominican Republic</td><td>National Progressive Force</td><td>FNP</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 190 (0%)</td><td>0 / 32 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> Ecuador</td><td>Creating Opportunities</td><td>CREO</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 137 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> El Salvador</td><td>Nationalist Republican Alliance</td><td>ARENA</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 60 (3%)</td></tr><tr><td> Estonia</td><td>Isamaa</td><td></td><td>Opposition</td><td>10 / 101 (10%)</td></tr><tr><td> Finland</td><td>National Coalition Party</td><td>Kok</td><td>Government</td><td>48 / 200 (24%)</td></tr><tr><td> Georgia</td><td>United National Movement</td><td>UNM</td><td>Opposition</td><td>15 / 150 (10%)</td></tr><tr><td> Germany</td><td>Christian Democratic Union of Germany</td><td>CDU</td><td>Government</td><td>164 / 630 (26%)</td><td>22 / 69 (32%)</td></tr><tr><td>Christian Social Union in Bavaria</td><td>CSU</td><td>Government</td><td>44 / 630 (7%)</td><td>4 / 69 (6%)</td></tr><tr><td> Ghana</td><td>New Patriotic Party</td><td>NPP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>88 / 275 (32%)</td></tr><tr><td> Greece</td><td>New Democracy</td><td>ND</td><td>Government</td><td>158 / 300 (53%)</td></tr><tr><td> Grenada</td><td>New National Party</td><td>NNP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>5 / 15 (33%)</td><td>3 / 13 (23%)</td></tr><tr><td> Guatemala</td><td>Unionist Party</td><td>PU</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 160 (1%)</td></tr><tr><td> Iceland</td><td>Independence Party</td><td></td><td>Opposition</td><td>14 / 63 (22%)</td></tr><tr><td> Israel</td><td>Likud</td><td>Likud</td><td>Government</td><td>32 / 120 (27%)</td></tr><tr><td> Italy</td><td>Forza Italia</td><td>FI</td><td>Government</td><td>46 / 400 (12%)</td><td>20 / 200 (10%)</td></tr><tr><td>Brothers of Italy</td><td>FdI</td><td>Government</td><td>117 / 400 (29%)</td><td>66 / 200 (33%)</td></tr><tr><td> Ivory Coast</td><td>Democratic Party of Ivory Coast – African Democratic Rally</td><td>PDCI-RDA</td><td>Opposition</td><td>73 / 255 (29%)</td><td>6 / 99 (6%)</td></tr><tr><td> Kenya</td><td>Democratic Party of Kenya</td><td>DP</td><td>Government</td><td>1 / 349 (0.3%)</td><td>0 / 67 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td>Kenya African National Union</td><td>KANU</td><td>Opposition</td><td>5 / 349 (1%)</td><td>0 / 67 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> Latvia</td><td>National Alliance</td><td>NA</td><td>Opposition</td><td>13 / 100 (13%)</td></tr><tr><td> Lebanon</td><td>Kataeb Party</td><td></td><td>Government</td><td>4 / 128 (3%)</td></tr><tr><td>Lithuania</td><td>Lithuanian Christian Democrats</td><td>LKD</td><td>Opposition</td><td>28 / 141 (20%)</td></tr><tr><td> Maldives</td><td>Maldivian Democratic Party</td><td>MDP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>12 / 93 (13%)</td></tr><tr><td> Moldova</td><td>Party of Action and Solidarity</td><td>PAS</td><td>Government</td><td>62 / 101 (61%)</td></tr><tr><td> Mongolia</td><td>Democratic Party</td><td>DP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>42 / 126 (33%)</td></tr><tr><td> Morocco</td><td>Istiqlal Party</td><td></td><td>Government</td><td>81 / 395 (21%)</td><td>17 / 120 (14%)</td></tr><tr><td> Nepal</td><td>Rastriya Prajatantra Party</td><td>RPP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>14 / 275 (5%)</td><td>0 / 59 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> New Zealand</td><td>National Party</td><td>NAT</td><td>Government</td><td>49 / 123 (40%)</td></tr><tr><td> Nigeria</td><td>Peoples Democratic Party</td><td>PDP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>118 / 360 (33%)</td><td>36 / 109 (33%)</td></tr><tr><td> North Macedonia</td><td>VMRO-DPMNE</td><td></td><td>Government</td><td>58 / 120 (48%)</td></tr><tr><td> Norway</td><td>Conservative Party</td><td>H</td><td>Opposition</td><td>36 / 169 (21%)</td></tr><tr><td> Panama</td><td>Democratic Change</td><td>CD</td><td>Support</td><td>8 / 71 (11%)</td></tr><tr><td> Paraguay</td><td>Partido Colorado</td><td>ANR-PC</td><td>Government</td><td>48 / 80 (60%)</td><td>23 / 45 (51%)</td></tr><tr><td> Peru</td><td>Christian People's Party</td><td>PPC</td><td>Extraparliamentary opposition</td><td>0 / 130 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td> Portugal</td><td>CDS – People's Party</td><td>CDS–PP</td><td>Government</td><td>2 / 230 (0.9%)</td></tr><tr><td> Romania</td><td>National Liberal Party</td><td>PNL</td><td>Government</td><td>49 / 330 (15%)</td><td>22 / 136 (16%)</td></tr><tr><td>Saint Lucia</td><td>United Workers Party</td><td>UWP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 17 (12%)</td><td>3 / 11 (27%)</td></tr><tr><td> Saint Vincent and the Grenadines</td><td>New Democratic Party</td><td>NDP</td><td>Government</td><td>14 / 15 (93%)</td></tr><tr><td> Serbia</td><td>Serbian Progressive Party</td><td>SNS</td><td>Government</td><td>104 / 250 (42%)</td></tr><tr><td> Slovenia</td><td>Slovenian Democratic Party</td><td>SDS</td><td>Opposition</td><td>27 / 90 (30%)</td></tr><tr><td> South Korea</td><td>People Power Party</td><td>PPP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>107 / 300 (36%)</td></tr><tr><td> Spain</td><td>People's Party</td><td>PP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>137 / 350 (39%)</td><td>143 / 264 (54%)</td></tr><tr><td> Sri Lanka</td><td>United National Party</td><td>UNP</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 225 (0.9%)</td></tr><tr><td> South Africa</td><td>Inkatha Freedom Party</td><td>IFP</td><td>Government</td><td>17 / 400 (4%)</td></tr><tr><td> Sweden</td><td>Moderate Party</td><td>M</td><td>Government</td><td>68 / 349 (19%)</td></tr><tr><td>Christian Democrats</td><td>KD</td><td>Government</td><td>19 / 349 (5%)</td></tr><tr><td> Republic of China</td><td>Kuomintang</td><td>KMT</td><td>Opposition</td><td>52 / 113 (46%)</td></tr><tr><td> Tanzania</td><td>Party for Democracy and Progress</td><td>CHADEMA</td><td>Opposition</td><td>20 / 393 (5%)</td></tr><tr><td> Uganda</td><td>Forum for Democratic Change</td><td>FDC</td><td>Opposition</td><td>32 / 529 (6%)</td></tr><tr><td>Ukraine</td><td>European Solidarity</td><td></td><td>Opposition</td><td>27 / 450 (6%)</td></tr><tr><td>All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland"</td><td></td><td>Opposition</td><td>24 / 450 (5%)</td></tr><tr><td> United Kingdom</td><td>Conservative and Unionist Party</td><td>CON</td><td>Opposition</td><td>121 / 650 (19%)</td><td>274 / 783 (35%)</td></tr><tr><td> United States</td><td>Republican Party</td><td>R / GOP</td><td>Government</td><td>220 / 435 (51%)</td><td>53 / 100 (53%)</td></tr><tr><td> Venezuela</td><td>Encuentro Ciudadano</td><td>EC</td><td>Opposition</td><td>0 / 277 (0%)</td></tr><tr><td>Project Venezuela</td><td>PV</td><td>Opposition</td><td>2 / 277 (0.7%)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Former members
International Democracy Union
• Argentina – Justicialist Party • Bosnia and Herzegovina – Party of Democratic Action • Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatian Democratic Union 1990 • Bolivia – Nationalist Democratic Action • Brazil – Democrats • Bulgaria – Union of Democratic Forces • Canada – Progressive Conservative Party of Canada • Dominican Republic – Social Christian Reformist Party • France – Rally for the Republic • France – Union for a Popular Movement • Guatemala – National Advancement Party • Honduras – National Party of Honduras • Hungary – Fidesz • India – Bharatiya Janata Party • Japan – Liberal Democratic Party • Lebanon – Lebanese Forces • Lithuania – Homeland Union • Moldova – Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova • Montenegro – Movement for Changes • Nicaragua – Conservative Party • Portugal – Social Democratic Party • Russia – Union of Right Forces • Serbia – Democratic Party of Serbia • Serbia – United Regions of Serbia • South Korea – Liberty Korea Party • Spain – People's Alliance • Spain – People's Democratic Party
Chairmen
International Democracy Union
<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Portrait</th><th>Name (Birth)</th><th>Term of office</th><th>Political party</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Took office</td><td>Left office</td><td>Time in office</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td></td><td>Alois Mock (1934–2017)</td><td>24 June 1983</td><td>1987</td><td></td><td>Austrian People's Party</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td></td><td>Kåre Willoch (1928–2021)</td><td>1987</td><td>1989</td><td></td><td>Conservative Party of Norway</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td></td><td>William Hague (born 1961)</td><td>19 June 1997</td><td>10 June 2002</td><td>4 years, 356 days</td><td>Conservative Party of UK</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td></td><td>John Howard (born 1939)</td><td>10 June 2002</td><td>21 November 2014</td><td>12 years, 164 days</td><td>Liberal Party of Australia</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td></td><td>Sir John Key (born 1961)</td><td>21 November 2014</td><td>21 February 2018</td><td>3 years, 92 days</td><td>New Zealand National Party</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td></td><td>Stephen Harper (born 1959)</td><td>21 February 2018</td><td>Incumbent</td><td>8 years, 21 days</td><td>Conservative Party of Canada</td></tr></tbody></table>
Since 1997, all Chairmen have been part of the Anglosphere (United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada).
Regional Unions
International Democracy Union
In addition to being members of the UDI, political parties can also be members of one of its regional unions:
• Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA): Union of Latin American Parties; • Asia Pacific Democrat Union (APDU or UDAP): Democratic Union of Asia and the Pacific • Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU or UDC): Caribbean Democratic Union • Democrat Union of Africa (DUA or UDA): Democratic Union of Africa • European Democrat Union (EDU or EDU): European Democratic Union
Leadership
International Democracy Union
• President: Stephen Harper (Conservative Party of Canada, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015) • Vice-President: Brian Loughnane (Liberal Party of Australia) • Honorary President: Lord Michael Ashcroft (Conservative Party of the United Kingdom) • Executive Vice Presidents: • Hon. Antonio Giordano MP (Fratelli d'Italia) • Hon. Tundu Lissu (CHADEMA) • Hon. Scott Morrison (Liberal Party of Australia) • Rt. Hon. Dame Priti Patel MP (Conservative Party of the United Kingdom) • Diego Schalper MP (Renovación Nacional, Chile) • David McAllister MEP (Christian Democratic Union of Germany) • Vice-presidents: • Marwan Abdallah (Kataeb Party) • Louisa Atta-Agyemang (New Patriotic Party) • Governor Haley Barbour (Republican Party) • Hon. Deborah Bergamini MP (Forza Italia) • Deputy Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou MP (New Democracy) • Rt.Hon. Allen Chastanet MP (United Workers Party) • Hon. Judith Collins KC, MP (New Zealand National Party) • Dr. Rahhal El Makkaoui (Istiqlal Party) • Carlo Fidanza MEP (ECR) • Minister of State Florian Hahn MP (Christian Social Union of Bavaria) • Lord Daniel Hannan (Conservative Party of the United Kingdom) • Gabriel Mato MEP (Partido Popular) • Julian Obiglio (PRO) • Marco Solares (Unionist Party) • Majority Leader Jens Spahn MP (Christian Democratic Union of Germany) • Commissioner Dubravka Šuica (Croatian Democratic Union) • HE Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin (Ардчилсан нам, Democratic Party) • Political advisor: Eva Gustavsson (Moderate Coalition Party, Sweden) • Secretary General: Tina Mercep, Croatian Democratic Union