People's Party – Dan Diaconescu
The People's Party – Dan Diaconescu (; abbreviated PP-DD) was a populist political party in Romania created in 2011 by television presenter Dan Diaconescu. In June 2015 it merged into the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR) after Diaconescu was convicted of extortion. History. The People's Party – Dan Diaconescu was founded in 2011 by Romanian TV presenter Dan Diaconescu. The first congress of the party was held in January 2012, when the party was officially constituted. At the 2012 local election, the PP-DD came in third, on the party's ticket  31 mayors, 3,126 local councilors and 134 county councilors were elected. After the election, the party became the fourth largest political force in Romania, after the Social Democrats, the National Liberals and the Democratic Liberals. At the 2012 parliamentary election, the PP-DD came third again, successfully entering Parliament with 21 senators and 47 deputies. By June 2013 however, the party became heavily affected by party switching, losing 2 senators and 16 deputies, including its group leaders in both chambers. The PP-DD merged into the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR) on 29 June 2015. Ideology. The  ideology of the PP-DD expressed nationalist and socialist sentiments. The party supported progressive measures like higher retirement pensions and salaries, and a lower VAT. The party also supported the collectivization of agriculture and the foundation of state companies with directly elected leadership, and sought a "People's Tribunal". European affiliation. On 21 May 2013, PP-DD publicized their collaboration with the EUDemocrats party.