This article gives an overview of liberalism in Slovenia. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.
Background
History
After the independence of Slovenia former young socialists claim to have restarted the liberal tradition of former Austria-Hungary. Their organized liberalism became a major political force. The Liberal Democracy of Slovenia and profiles itself as a left of center liberal party. Others argue that there have been no liberal parties in Slovenia since independence in 1991. They say that claims of the former communist youth and LDS that they represent liberal parties with liberal doctrines are political propaganda and that facts demonstrate that both ZSMS and LDS followed socialist and anti liberal policies.
1905: The Carniolan party is renamed National Progressive Party. In Upper Styria related groups formed the National Party of Styria
1918: The three party merged into the Yugoslav Democratic Party
1919: The party merged with Serbian and Croatian into the pan-Yugoslav more or less liberal State Party of Serbian, Croatian and Slovene Democrats. Some of the Slovene liberals did not join JDS and founded Independent Agrarian Party and National-Socialist Party . Except the name, the latter did not have much in common with German Nazis and could have been described as a social liberal party.
1919: The party is renamed into the Democratic Community
1920: The party is renamed into the Democratic Party. Leader is Ljubomir Davidović
1929: After the royal coup, all parties were banned.
1931: Slovene liberals leaders joined the government party, from 1934 Yugoslav National Party . *1935-1941: JNS was in opposition.
1941-1945: Following the Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, political parties were dissolved but continued activities in underground. Facing the communist insurgence, Slovene liberals co-founded the underground national organization Slovene Covenant .
From ZSMS-Liberal Party to Liberal Democracy of Slovenia
1989: The Socialist Youth League of Slovenia changes its name into Za Svobodo Mislecega Sveta and is shortly after reorganised into the Liberal Party
1990: The party is renamed into the Liberal Democratic Party
1994: The party merged with the ⇒ Democratic Party, a faction of the Slovenian Greens and the Socialist Party of Slovenia into the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia', led by Janez Drnovšek
