The Liberal Democratic Congress (Polish: Kongres Liberalno-Demokratyczny, KLD) was a centrist-conservative, liberal-Catholic party in Poland. The party, led by Donald Tusk, had roots in the Solidarity movement. It advocated free market economy and individual liberty (however in Catholic understanding), rejected extremism and fanaticism and favoured European integration (in the form of European Union membership), rapid privatisation of the enterprises still owned by the Polish state and decentralisation of the government.
Until 1991 was a part of the Porozumienie Centrum, whose leaders, Kaczynski brothers, are currently seen as conservative socialists. In the 1991 general elections KLD got 7,5% of the votes and 37 seats in the Sejm (total 460 seats). In 1993 KLD got 4,0% of the votes and was left without seats.
It merged on March 20, 1994 with the Democratic Union (Unia Demokratyczna) into the Freedom Union (Unia Wolności, UW). Some of the former KLD members decided in January 2001 to move to join the new Civic Platform. The KLD group within Civic Platform is now seen as moderate conservative socialists. The liberal faction within Civic Platform is small and insignificant, represented by such politicians as Janusz Palikot and Adam Szejnfeld.
Famous quotes containing the words liberal, democratic and/or congress:
“God reigns ... when we take a liberal view,—when a liberal view is presented to us.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The respect for human rights is one of the most significant advantages of a free and democratic nation in the peaceful struggle for influence, and we should use this good weapon as effectively as possible.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)
“When will the men do something besides extend congratulations? I would rather have President Roosevelt say one word to Congress in favor of amending the Constitution to give women the suffrage than to praise me endlessly!”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)