2010-02-03 The Democratas of Brazil has become a member of IDU - International Democrat Union. The Democratas has its origin in the Liberal Front Party (PFL), founded in 1985 after a split with the Social Democratic Party (PSD). The PFL initiated a party modernization program in 2005 which resulted in a "re-founding" of the party under the new name Democratas. The pillars of the party are the defense of human dignity and fundamental human rights, economic growth based on private initiative and regarding environmental protection, and social justice. In the 2006 elections the Democratas became Brazil's fourth largest party with 10.2 million votes (10.9%). The president of the Democratas is federal deputy Rodrigo Maia. The party has 13 senators, 56 federal deputies, 1 governor and 119 state deputies. The party also holds 501 mayorships, including Brazil's largest city Sao Paulo. (IDU UPDATE - 3 February 2010)