DA to elect new parliamentary leader next week
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will meet next week to elect an interim parliamentary leader following Mmusi Maimane's resignation on Wednesday.
The party’s chief whip John Steenhuisen subsequently also stepped down as his term of office is linked to that of the party leader.
Let me be clear: I have NOT resigned from the @Our_DA or Parliament. The Leader of the party appoints the Chief Whip. With Mmusi’s resignation from Parliament my term as Chief Whip ends. I remain a committed and determined member of the party and cause.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) October 24, 2019
The caucus chairperson Annelie Lotriet will serve as parliamentary leader until the election takes place, either on Tuesday or Thursday.
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"In light of Mr Maimane’s resignation as MP this morning, Mr Steenhuisen’s tenure automatically came to an end,” says Lotriet. “The DA’s deputy chief whip, Jacques Julius, who was elected by caucus, will take over as interim chief whip.”
She adds: "The person who's elected next week by the caucus will become parliamentary leader - not the federal leader. The interim federal leader will be appointed by the federal council - we don't have the date for that yet - now should the federal leader also be a member of parliament he or she will become parliamentary leader.
"Should the interim party leader not be a member of parliament, caucus will elect a parliamentary leader, who will, in turn, appoint a chief whip."