Party of Democratic Action

Party of Democratic Action. The Party of Democratic Action is a major Bosniak political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina, founded in 1990. It played a central role during the Bosnian War and has been a dominant force in the country's politics, primarily representing the interests of the Bosniak ethnic group. The party advocates for a unified and centralized Bosnia and Herzegovina and maintains a conservative and socially conservative platform.

History

The party was established on 26 May 1990 in Sarajevo by a group of intellectuals, most prominently Alija Izetbegović, who became its first president. It emerged as the main political representative of Bosnian Muslims on the eve of the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Following the 1990 Bosnian general election, it formed a coalition government, and Izetbegović became the President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The party led the government's efforts during the Bosnian War following the 1992 Bosnian independence referendum and the subsequent Siege of Sarajevo. In the postwar period, it has remained a principal political entity within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, though it has faced internal splits and the emergence of rival parties like the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ideology and political positions

The party's core ideology is centered on Bosniak nationalism and the preservation of Bosniak national identity, coupled with a commitment to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It promotes a unitary state structure as opposed to the current highly decentralized system established by the Dayton Agreement. Its platform is socially conservative, influenced by Islamic ethics, and includes support for traditional family values. On economic issues, it advocates a social market economy. The party is also officially pro-European, supporting the eventual accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union.

Electoral performance

The party has consistently been one of the most successful in elections for the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It typically wins a plurality of votes among the Bosniak electorate, though its share has fluctuated due to competition from other parties. Its strongholds are in major urban centers like Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Zenica, as well as in predominantly Bosniak cantons such as Una-Sana Canton and Zenica-Doboj Canton. In the 2018 Bosnian general election, it remained the largest single party in the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Leadership and organization

The party's first and long-serving president was Alija Izetbegović, a key figure in modern Bosnian history. Following his death in 2003, leadership passed to Sulejman Tihić, and later to Bakir Izetbegović, the son of Alija Izetbegović, who currently serves as president. The party's structure is organized with a central committee and local branches corresponding to the municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its youth wing is the Youth of the Party of Democratic Action, and it maintains close ties with various civil society and religious organizations, including the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

International relations

The party maintains associate membership in the European People's Party, the largest political group in the European Parliament. It has historically fostered strong relations with Turkey and other predominantly Muslim-majority countries, reflecting its ethnic and cultural orientation. The party also engages with international institutions like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and supports NATO integration for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its international advocacy often focuses on preserving the sovereignty and multi-ethnic character of the Bosnian state.

Category:Political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina Category:1990 establishments in Bosnia and Herzegovina