The decision of four parties to merge into the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia (LDS) in 1994 was a result of the recognition that they share similar ideas, so it was sensible for them to team up in a joint project which turned out to be a success, LDS president Anton Rop said at the party's 10th anniversary celebration. Rop, he incumbent prime minister, listed a number of LDS's successes, among them Slovenia's independence, EU integration, successful economic policy and pension reform. He expressed the firm belief that the party would emerge as the winner in this election year. The party also touched on its faltering public support as LDS is head-to-head in the polls with the main opposition party the Slovenian Democrats (SDS), a marked contrast to nearly a decade of firm lead. The party does not see the fall in ratings as a major crisis and remains confident that it will bounce back shortly and that it will celebrate victory at the European and Slovenian parliamentary elections. LDS was founded on 12 March 1994 at a merger congress of the then Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party - Democrats, the Slovenian Socialist Party and the Green - Eco-Social Party. It has led government coalitions for all but six months since then.