Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party

A liberal-conservative and Christian-democratic political party in Slovakia founded in 2000. Legally a new political entity, it emerged from the dissolution of the Slovak Democratic Coalition. It was led by Mikuláš Dzurinda from 2000 to 2012.

It was a major political party in Slovakia and the most popular centre-right party in the country following its independence in 1993. The party led two non-consecutive governments, from 2002 to 2006 and from 2010 to 2012. Under SDKÚ, Slovakia acceded to the European Union and NATO and underwent a period of democratic consolidation. The party carried out a neoliberal restructuring of the country's economy, which led to significant gross domestic product growth. At the same time, its tenure was marked by corruption allegations, persistent political instability within the government, and significant social tensions.

Legally still active, the party lost all representation in the European Parliament in 2015 and in the national legislature in 2016, and has remained unrepresented since. It was affiliated with the European People's Party and the Centrist Democrat International.

Chairperson: Mikuláš Dzurinda (17 November 2000 – 19 May 2012), Pavol Frešo (19 May 2012 – 2 July 2016), Milan Roman (acting, 2/13 July 2016 – 5 November 2020), Jozef Sobčák (acting, 5 November 2020 – present)