Gaye Davis
CONTINUING unhappiness in party ranks over the National Party’s blurred identity and lack of direction are expected to come to a head at its caucus meeting in Stellenbosch tomorrow.
NP sources discounted the possibility of a split but indicated NP leader FW de Klerk would face a challenge from a “new right” coalescing around MP Andre Fourie, Northern Transvaal leader.
Fourie is expected to propose a motion demanding that the NP move to clearly distinguish itself from the ANC and develop a stronger profile as a party in opposition.
Tensions within the NP involve a perceived “new left” – – members thought to be reluctant to tackle the ANC head on as an opposition party should, because they wanted to keep open their options for the future of their own political careers.