DA rejects proposal to introduce deputy federal leader position

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has rejected a proposal to introduce a deputy federal leader position.

The party’s federal congress, which is its highest decision-making body between congresses, has been voting on proposed amendments to its constitution.

One of the proposed constitutional amendments was to appoint a deputy leader, a position that has never existed in the DA.

However, the congress has rejected the proposal.

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The proposer of the failed constitutional amendment argued that with the DA now represented in Cabinet, the party’s leader is consumed by government responsibilities.

They said the federal leader is preoccupied with matters related to the Government of National Unity (GNU), leaving little time to focus on party issues.

It was proposed that the party establish a deputy leader position, with the elected candidate focusing primarily on organisational matters.

However, several senior DA leaders argued that the federal chairperson already serves effectively as the party’s number two, given their responsibilities.

Following a vote at the congress, the DA’s chairperson of the constitutional review committee, Kevin Mileham, announced that the proposal has been rejected.

“Amendment 36 received 50.08% of the vote. There is no provision for a revote, so we will not be doing a revote. Those of you who are complaining, you did not even come close to the two-thirds majority that would be required.”