Wikipedia
Medrek (officially the "Forum for Democratic Dialogue in Ethiopia") is an Ethiopian opposition political coalition founded in 2008 which contested the Ethiopian general election, 2010. In that election, Medrek won a single seat in the Council of People's Representatives, representing an electoral district in Addis Ababa. This was allegedly due to lack of election transparency. Medrek won 30% of the individual vote nationwide but it received only one seat in parliament because of Ethiopia's winner takes all system for each constituency.
The coalition was formed in 2008 by four parties and 2 politicians:
- United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, led by Merera Gudina and Beyene Petros
- Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement, led by Bulcha Demeksa
- Somali Democratic Alliance Forces, and the
- Union of Tigrians for Democracy and Sovereignty (also known as ARENA), led by Gebru Asrat
- Dr. Negasso Gidada MP, former President of Ethiopia
- Siye Abraha, former Defense Minister
In December 2009 Medrek was joined by the largest opposition party, the Unity for Democracy and Justice, led by Birtukan Mideksa. Medrek supported liberal democracy and a federal Ethiopia as well as making Afan Oromo the co-official language of Ethiopia alongside Amharic.
For the 2010 elections, they listed eight constituent parties, including three parties that had been part of the UEDF:
- Oromo People's Congress, chaired by Merera Gudina
- Ethiopian Social Democratic Party
- Southern Ethiopia Peoples' Democratic Coalition
The coalition was led by Bertukan and its chairman is Merera Gudina.