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Democratic Alternative (Macedonia)
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Alternative or DA is a centrist political party
in the Republic of Macedonia
. The Democratic Alternative was formed in March 1998 by Vasil Tupurkovski
, charismatic member of the last Presidency of the former Yugoslavia.
Prior to the 1998 elections, DA entered into a coalition with VMRO-DPMNE with which it won the elections and formed a ruling government. The period in the government of this party, from the end of 1998 to the end of 2000, will be remembered mostly for the controversial decision to recognize disputed Chinese territory Taiwan
as a sovereign state. DA argued that such an outlandish diplomatic move would help Macedonia attract significant foreign investment from Taiwan - with even a sum of US$1 billion being mentioned by Tupurkovski. Unfortunately, all of this proved to be only a dream, as Taiwanese money never came even after recognition from Macedonia. By 2002 Macedonia formally reversed its decision on Taiwan and after much wrangling re-established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China
.
In addition to causing major problems for Macedonia's economy and international relations, the embarrassing fiasco cost DA its political future.
At the last parliamentary elections on September 15, 2002, the party won only 1.4% of the popular vote and no seats.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. The Democratic Alternative was formed in March 1998 by Vasil Tupurkovski
Vasil Tupurkovski
Vasil Tupurkovski is a Macedonian academic, politician and the current president of the Macedonian Olympic Committee. He was born on 8 April 1951 in Skopje, SR Macedonia, Yugoslavia....
, charismatic member of the last Presidency of the former Yugoslavia.
Prior to the 1998 elections, DA entered into a coalition with VMRO-DPMNE with which it won the elections and formed a ruling government. The period in the government of this party, from the end of 1998 to the end of 2000, will be remembered mostly for the controversial decision to recognize disputed Chinese territory Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
as a sovereign state. DA argued that such an outlandish diplomatic move would help Macedonia attract significant foreign investment from Taiwan - with even a sum of US$1 billion being mentioned by Tupurkovski. Unfortunately, all of this proved to be only a dream, as Taiwanese money never came even after recognition from Macedonia. By 2002 Macedonia formally reversed its decision on Taiwan and after much wrangling re-established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
In addition to causing major problems for Macedonia's economy and international relations, the embarrassing fiasco cost DA its political future.
At the last parliamentary elections on September 15, 2002, the party won only 1.4% of the popular vote and no seats.