- Democratic Party (South Africa)
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South Africa 
This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
South Africa- Parliament
- National Council of Provinces
- Chairperson
- National Assembly
- Speaker
- Leader of the Opposition
- Helen Zille (national)
- Lindiwe Mazibuko (parliament)
- National Council of Provinces
- Chief Justice
- Pres. of Supreme Court of Appeal
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Other- Political parties
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- For more about the history of the PFP, and the DA since its formation in 2000, see Democratic Alliance.
The Democratic Party (DP) was the name of the South African political party now called the Democratic Alliance (DA). Although the Democratic Party name dates from 1989, the party existed under other labels throughout the Apartheid years, when it was the Parliamentary opposition to the ruling National Party's policies. After the 1999 election, the DP, under the leadership of Tony Leon, became Official Opposition to the African National Congress-led government.
As the party absorbed smaller anti-apartheid groupings, as well as defectors from the United Party (the main opposition party in South Africa prior to 1977), its name changed a few times. Prior to the adoption of the Democratic Party label, it was known variously as the Progressive Party, Progressive Reform Party, Progressive Federal Party.
The DP had a short-lived merger with the New National Party (NNP) from 2000 to 2001 to form the Democratic Alliance (DA). Even though the NNP left the alliance, the DA chose to retain its new name.
See also
- Liberalism
- Contributions to liberal theory
- Liberalism worldwide
- List of liberal parties
- Liberal democracy
- Liberalism in South Africa
External links
Apartheid-era political parties and groups Liberal Party of South Africa · Progressive Party · Democratic Party · Progressive Federal Party · Reform Party · Progressive Reform Party · Independent Party · Black SashPost-Apartheid political parties and groups People before and during the apartheid era Post-apartheid people Related articles 
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