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Stephen Harper has been elected chairman of the International Democrat Union (IDU), an alliance of dozens of prominent centre-right political parties around the world.

Harper, Canada’s 22nd prime minister, was announced as chairman Wednesday morning following a unanimous vote at a meeting in Madrid, Spain.

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Founded in 1983 by George H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Jacques Chirac and other world leaders, the IDU will be tackling the challenges of changing political landscapes in the years ahead.

“The challenge will always be effectively promoting our conservative values, offering alternatives to the bad ideas of the left, winning elections and governing well,” Harper told the Sun via email from Madrid, regarding the issues he expects to face during his tenure. “In this day and age, it is also, in many countries, ensuring that we address the concerns of frustrated conservatives and that they do not drift to extreme options.”