Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, has laid out his party’s role within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Addressing a briefing in Cape Town, Steenhuisen said the DA holds the balance of power within the GNU.
“The reality is, every way you slice and dice it, whatever way you want to cut the pie, the DA holds the balance of power in the government of national unity. Without the DA supporting Parliament, the GNU does not have a majority,” Steenhuisen said.
“Fair is fair. We can't get it all our own way, but equally so the ANC can't get it all their own way, and our first instinct inside the GNU, an approach to managing matters inside the GNU, will always be to find common interest and common ground In order to put South Africa first, and we've already proven that, and we're working hand in hand with the ANC on every initiative that seeks to grow the economy, create jobs and drive our country forward.”
The strength of the GNU was in the spotlight once again this week following the announcement that President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday sign into the law the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill.
On that, Steenhuisen said he met with Ramaphosa to discuss the DA’s concerns.
“I hope we will find a common way forward. But if the President goes ahead tomorrow, the DA will have to consider all of our options on the way forward,” Steenhuisen said.
He said in a multi-party government leaders need to respect the constraints and imperatives of their partners.
“Any leader that tries to ride roughshod over their partners will pay a price, because a time will come when the shoe is on the other foot, and they will need the understanding of those same partners in turn,” Steenhuisen said.
“The same applies to the National Health Insurance. Our first instinct is to find solutions to the aspects of the NHI plan that will do lasting damage to South Africa, and our ability to deliver healthcare to all,” he said.
“If we can find those solutions collaboratively we would be delighted. If we can’t, we will pursue the interests of the South African people through every other legal means at our disposal.”
Moving to allay fears of a split in the GNU, Steenhuisen said conflict over policy in a multi-party government like the GNU is normal and indeed necessary in a democracy.
“It is not necessarily an existential threat to the government. Let me say that again: conflict over policy in the GNU is not necessarily an existential threat to the government. But that doesn’t mean the DA would never walk away under any circumstances,” the DA leader said.
He added that the DA will not crash the government unless the government is crashing the economy or trashing the Constitution.
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