European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group
The Group of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (French: Groupe du parti européen des libéraux, démocrates et réformateurs, ELDR) was a liberal political group of the European Parliament between 1976 and 2004. The group comprised the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and its constituent national-level parties, variously of liberal, centrist and agrarian orientation.
| European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group | |
|---|---|
| European Parliament group | |
| Name | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group |
| English abbr. | ELDR (1994–2004) LDR (1985–1994) LD (1976–1985) L (1953–1976) |
| Formal name | Group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (19 July 1994 to 20 July 2004) Liberal and Democratic Reformist Group (13 December 1985 to 18 July 1994) Liberal and Democratic Group (1976 to 12 December 1985) Liberals and Allies Group (23 June 1953 to 1976) |
| Ideology | Liberalism |
| Political position | Centre |
| European parties | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party |
| From | 23 June 1953 |
| To | 20 July 2004 |
| Preceded by | new establishment |
| Succeeded by | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe |
Its predecessors have existed since 23 June 1953, then under the name of Liberals and Allies Group. In 1976, the name was changed to Liberal and Democratic Group (LD), and on 13 December 1985 to Liberal and Democratic Reformist Group (LDR). The addition of "Reformist" was a concession to the Social Democratic Party of Portugal, which did not identify as a liberal party.
The ELDR group partnered with the European People's Party – European Democrats (EPP-ED) to form the majority-forming coalition for the 5th Parliament, during which time it elected its sole President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox during the second half of the term.
Following the 2004 European elections the ELDR was expanded and renamed the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group.