From independence in 1959 to 1990 it was the only legal party, and was led by President Felix Houphouet-Boigny. In 1990 the first multi-party elections took place, but the party remained in power. When Houphouet-Boigny died in 1993 he was replaced by Henri Konan Bedie. After a fierce election campaign and legal wrangling, the party was ousted from power.
Today it is the second largest party in the Ivorian National Assembly, with 94 of 225 seats.
See also: Politics of Côte d'Ivoire, List of political parties in Côte d'Ivoire.