Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

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The Democratic Party (also known for a time the Democratic Alliance Party) is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently part of the governing coalition.

The Democratic Party was founded by Tom Davis in 1971, in opposition to the Cook Islands Party (CIP) of Albert Henry. In 1978, it won power, with Davis becoming Prime Minister. It became one of the two primary parties of the Cook Islands, alternating in power with the CIP. In the late 1990s, the party experienced a split, with the majority of the party renamed the Democratic Alliance Party. A breakaway faction led by Norman George was named the New Alliance Party.

At the last elections, 7 September 2004, the Democratic Alliance won 47.2 % of popular votes and 12 out of 25 seats. It is part of the coalition government led by Jim Marurai, who was the party's leader before forming the breakaway Cook Islands First Party. Initially, Marurai allied his new movement with the opposition CIP, but has since formed a new coalition with his former party.

Recently, the Democratic Alliance Party and the New Alliance Party, have reunited under the old Democratic Party name.

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