Progressive Caucus | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | PC |
| Leaders | Julius Malema (EFF) Jacob Zuma (MK) Vuyolwethu Zungula (ATM) Wonder Mahlatsi (UAT) |
| Founded | 13 June 2024 |
| Political position | Majority: Left-wing to far-left |
| Member parties | |
| National Assembly | 100 / 400 |
| National Council of Provinces | 11 / 90 |
| Pan-African Parliament | 1 / 5 (South African seats) |
| Provincial Legislatures | 111 / 487 |
The Progressive Caucus (PC) is a political alliance in the Parliament of South Africa, which formed in opposition to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
At its height it comprised seven parties: the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Al Jama-ah, United Democratic Movement (UDM), United Africans Transformation (UAT), African Transformation Movement (ATM), the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. However, within a matter of days the PAC, UDM, and Al Jama-ah parties would leave Progressive Caucus and join the GNU on 19,[1] 21[2] and 23 June,[3] 2024 respectively. The Progressive Caucus collectively holds approximately 25% of the seats in the National Assembly.
The MK party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, joined the Progressive Caucus on 17 June after securing 14.6% of the vote and 58 seats in the National Assembly in the 2024 elections. MK's surprising performance solidified its position as the third-largest party in parliament.[4]
Despite initially boycotting the first sitting of the National Assembly over allegations of vote-rigging—which the court dismissed as without merit—MK decided to align with the Progressive Caucus to strengthen the opposition against the GNU.[5][6] However, the inclusion of the MK does not gain the Progressive Caucus enough seats in the National Assembly to block any law or constitutional amendment due to the GNU's supermajority.[7]
The caucus was formed following the 29 May 2024 elections where the ANC lost its majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC, which won 40%[8] of the vote, entered a coalition with the DA and other smaller parties to form a GNU. In contrast, the Progressive Caucus aims to provide a fiscally left-leaning alternative to this coalition.[7] The Progressive Caucus is not as unified on social policies with some members advocating right-wing positions such as the reintroduction of the death penalty[9][10] and the repeal of same-sex marriage laws.[11][12]
- ^ "PAC latest party to join GNU promises to scrutinise ANC/DA decisions". Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "UDM becomes the latest party to join ANC-led GNU". Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Africa, AlgoaFM South. "GNU now comprises ten political parties". AlogaFM. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ Gerber, Sakhiseni Nxumalo and Jan. "COALITION NATION | MK Party to join EFF, ATM and others in Progressive Caucus". News24. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Ex-leader Zuma's party says it will join opposition in South Africa's parliament". WSAU News/Talk 550 AM · 99.9 FM | Wausau, Stevens Point. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Patel, Faizel (14 June 2024). "Progressive Caucus led by EFF want urgent meeting with ANC over GNU". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Government of National Unity now has a supermajority in South Africa – BusinessTech". Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "NPE Results Dashboard 2024". results.elections.org.za.
- ^ "MK Party wants referendum on death penalty". Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Gerber, Jan. "Patriotic Alliance, ATM want the death penalty. Research shows it isn't an effective crime deterrent". News24. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Jacob Zuma campaigns on ticket using race, land, same-sex laws as flashpoints". Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Lagardien, Ismail (19 November 2020). "Al Jama-ah: The small Islamic political party with a narrow vision and big ambitions". Daily Maverick.