Progressive Caucus | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | PC |
Leaders | Julius Malema (EFF) Jacob Zuma (MK) Vuyolwethu Zungula (ATM) Wonder Mahlatsi (UAT) |
Founded | 13 June 2024 |
Ideology | Anti-GNU |
Political position | |
Member parties (current) | EFF MK Party ATM UAT |
Member parties (former) | UDM Al Jama-ah PAC |
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 is a political alliance in South Africa, 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]