The Party of Democratic Action was officially established on 26 May 1990 in
Sarajevo. It was initially conceived as a “party of the Muslim cultural-historical circle,” reflecting the identity of
Bosniaks (then referred to as
Muslims in an ethnic sense). The party’s founding was closely tied to the vision of
Alija Izetbegović, who became its first president. At its inception, the SDA brought together a diverse range of political and intellectual figures. These included religiously oriented nationalists such as
Omer Behmen and more secular or left-leaning figures like
Adil Zulfikarpašić. Izetbegović played a mediating role between these factions, shaping the party into a broad umbrella movement rather than a strictly ideological organization. The party’s historical roots can be traced further back to earlier Muslim political organizations in the Balkans. These include the
Yugoslav Muslim Organization, a conservative party active in the
Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and its predecessor, the
Muslim People's Organization, founded in 1906 during the
Austro-Hungarian period. Even earlier influences include the “Movement for
Waqf and Educational Autonomy” of the late 19th century, which advocated for religious and educational rights for Muslims under imperial rule. During the first multi-party elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina in
1990, the SDA achieved significant success, becoming one of the leading political forces. Throughout the 1990s, particularly during the Bosnian War, the party dominated Bosniak political representation and played a central role in the country’s leadership. It also established media outlets such as the newspaper
Ljiljan. In November 2000, the SDA experienced its first major electoral defeat, losing power to a coalition known as the “Alliance for Change,” led by the
Social Democratic Party. This marked the first time the party entered opposition. However, it later returned to government coalitions. Following the
2022 general elections, the SDA once again emerged as the largest single party in the country, reaffirming its enduring influence. == International presence ==