The Social Democratic Party of Serbia (Serbian Cyrillic: Социјалдемократска партија Србије, romanized: Socijaldemokratska partija Srbije, abbr. SDPS) is a centre-left political party in Serbia. Orientated towards the principles of social democracy, it has been led by Rasim Ljajić since its formation in 2009.
Social Democratic Party of Serbia Социјалдемократска партија Србије Socijaldemokratska partija Srbije | |
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| Abbreviation | SDPS |
| Leader | Rasim Ljajić |
| Parliamentary leader | Branimir Jovanović |
| Founded | 5 October 2009 |
| Headquarters | Dečanska 1/III, Belgrade |
| Membership (2020) | 48,623 |
| Ideology | Social democracy |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| International affiliation | Socialist International (observer) |
| Parliamentary group | Social Democratic Party of Serbia |
| Colours | Red |
| National Assembly | 6 / 250 |
| Assembly of Vojvodina | 3 / 120 |
| City Assembly of Belgrade | 2 / 110 |
| Bosniak National Council | 12 / 35 |
| Website | |
| sdpsrbije | |
History
The Social Democratic Party of Serbia (SDPS) was formed on 5 October 2009 by Rasim Ljajić, the long-time leader of Sandžak Democratic Party.[1] Ljajić has been the president of SDPS since its formation.[1] In late 2013 SDPS had joined in coalition with the Sandžak Democratic Party, forming a political union. Rasim Ljajić was elected as the SDPS-SDP's first head.[2] Despite taking part with the Democratic Party-led Choice for a Better Life alliance in the 2012 Serbian parliamentary election, SDPS has aligned itself with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) after the election.[1] Since then, it has contested every election on the SNS electoral list.[1]
Ideology and platform
SDPS is a centre-left political party, orientated towards the principles of social democracy.[3][4][5] Ljajić has described SDPS as an anti-fascist, anti-populist, and solidarist party in 2023.[6]
Organisation
Its headquarters is at Dečanska 1/III in Belgrade.[7] In 2015, it was reported that SDPS had 44,658 members.[8] In 2020, SDPS had 48,623 members.[9]
International cooperation
In June 2018 the party was admitted in the Socialist International as observer member.[10]
Electoral performance
Parliamentary elections
| Year | Leader | Popular vote | % of popular vote | # | # of seats | Seat change | Coalition | Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Rasim Ljajić | 863,294 | 23.09% |  2nd | 9 / 250 | 5 | IZBŽ | Government | [11] |
| 2014 | 1,736,920 | 49.96% | 1st | 10 / 250 | 1 | BKV | Government | [12] | |
| 2016 | 1,823,147 | 49.71% |  1st | 10 / 250 | 0 | SP | Government | [13] | |
| 2020 | 1,953,998 | 63.02% | 1st | 8 / 250 |  2 | ZND | Government | [14] | |
| 2022 | 1,635,101 | 44.27% | 1st | 7 / 250 | 1 | ZMS | Government | [15] | |
| 2023 | 1,783,701 | 48.07% | 1st | 6 / 250 | 1 | SNSDS | Government | [16] |
Presidential elections
| Year | Candidate | 1st round popular vote | % of popular vote | 2nd round popular vote | % of popular vote | Notes | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Boris Tadić | 1st | 989,454 | 26.50% | 2nd | 1,481,952 | 48.84% | Supported Tadić | [11] |
| 2017 | Aleksandar Vučić | 1st | 2,012,788 | 56.01% | — | — | — | Supported Vučić | [17] |
| 2022 | 1st | 2,224,914 | 60.01% | — | — | — | [18] | ||