It is a broadly left-leaning party, part of the Socialist International;[2] it came to power in 2011 following the election of the former long-time leader Mahamadou Issoufou.

In the National Assembly, the PNDS formed part of the AFC majority, and Issoufou was appointed prime minister.

[6] In the July 1996 presidential elections, won by Mainassara in the first round, the PNDS candidate Issoufou officially finished in fourth place with 7.60% of the vote.

[5] Along with other opposition parties, grouped together as the Front for the Restoration and Defense of Democracy, the PNDS boycotted the November 1996 parliamentary elections.

[7] Following another coup in April 1999, Issoufou finished second in the first round of the presidential contest in the general elections held later in the year, receiving 22.79% of the vote.

The PNDS retained its status as the largest party in the National Assembly, winning 75 seats in an expanded 171-seat body.