Union for the Republic (Republic of the Congo)

The Union for the Republic (Union pour la République, UR) is a political party in the Republic of the Congo. It was founded on March 15, 1995, under the leadership of Benjamin Bounkoulou.

Union for the Republic
PresidentBenjamin Bounkoulou
Founded1995
Split fromPan-African Union for Social Democracy
HeadquartersBrazzaville
IdeologySocialism
Political positionLeft-wing

The UR was established by members of parliament who left the ruling Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS) and another party in January 1995, complaining of government favoritism towards people from Niari Region and Lékoumou Region at the expense of Bouenza Region, from which these members of parliament originated.[1]

The UR is part of the presidential majority supporting President Denis Sassou Nguesso.[2]

Michel Bidimbou was elected as the UR's Secretary-General in late 2006.[2]

In the parliamentary election held on June 24 and August 5, 2007, the party won 1 out of 137 seats.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ John F. Clark, "Congo: Transition and the Struggle to Consolidate", in Political Reform in Francophone Africa (1997), ed. John F. Clark and David E. Gardinier, pages 70–75.
  2. ^ a b "Michel Bidimbou Pouela, secrétaire général de l'Union pour la République : «J'invite les militants à se mobiliser pour prendre en main les destinées de notre grand parti, car le salut est à ce prix.»", Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, December 27, 2006 (in French).
  3. ^ For detailed results see Republic of the Congo parliamentary election, 2007 and "L'alliance présidentielle occupe 125 des 137 sièges parlementaires", Xinhua, August 25, 2007 (in French).