Social Democratic Union (Serbia)

The Social Democratic Union (Serbian: Социјалдемократска унија, СДУ / Socijaldemokratska unija, SDU) was a social-democratic political party in Serbia.

The party was founded in 1996 as a split from the Democratic Party (DS) by Žarko Korać and others who felt the DS had moved too far to the right. The SDU positioned itself as a left-wing alternative, advocating for social justice, workers' rights, and European integration.

Žarko Korać served as the party's leader throughout its existence and often represented the SDU in the National Assembly of Serbia. The SDU participated in various coalition governments and electoral alliances, often aligning with other pro-European and reformist parties.

Key policy positions of the Social Democratic Union included:

• A strong welfare state with universal healthcare and education.
• Protection of workers' rights and collective bargaining.
• Promotion of gender equality and minority rights.
• European integration and closer ties with the European Union.
• Secularism and separation of church and state.

The Social Democratic Union ceased to exist in December 2022, when it merged into the Democratic Party (DS), effectively reuniting the two entities after over two decades of separation. This decision was based on the belief that a unified democratic force was necessary to effectively challenge the ruling parties in Serbia.