Party leaders should be in parliament - Links
Seven parties only have one seat each
The researcher believes that a political party leader must be in parliament, regardless of how many seats the party has.
With most opposition political party leaders expected to serve as the sole representatives of their organizations in the National Assembly, Namibia Fact Check editor Fredriko Links argues that this arrangement makes political sense.
Links was responding to criticism directed at political party leaders who will occupy the single seat their parties secured in the November 2024 National Assembly elections. According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), seven of the 13 political parties heading to parliament obtained only one seat. These parties include the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), All People’s Party (APP), Body of Christ (BOC), Swanu of Namibia, Republican Party (RP), National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO), and the National Democratic Party (NDP).
As per the gazetted National Assembly lists, the leaders of these political parties are ranked first and will serve as their parties’ sole representatives in parliament.
A challenging balancing act
Last week, RP leader Henk Mudge told Namibian Sun that his party’s leadership will decide who will occupy their single seat. Mudge acknowledged the challenge of juggling parliamentary duties and party leadership, especially for parties with only one seat. He argued that having multiple representatives would allow responsibilities to be shared more effectively.
Critics have also voiced concerns, particularly regarding leaders of parties that lost seats compared to previous elections. They contend that such leaders failed to grow their parties and should consider stepping aside to allow others to represent the party in parliament.
Links defends leaders in parliament
In contrast, Links believes that a political party leader must be in parliament, regardless of how many seats the party has. “If they're not leading government, then the leader of your political party should be in parliament. That’s just the way it is globally. In parliaments everywhere, the leaders of the parties are in parliament,” he stated.
He added that having someone else represent the party in parliament while the leader remains outside the national decision-making arena creates inefficiency. “You can’t be a leader if you’re outside of the national decision-making arena,” Links said.
Leadership and responsibility
Links also dismissed arguments that it is too demanding for party leaders to handle both parliamentary duties and party leadership responsibilities. He pointed out that political parties typically have administrative structures in place to handle organizational tasks.
“There’s administration and all that, but why are you the party leader? If it’s too much work, why are you doing politics? That doesn’t make sense,” he remarked. “Why are you doing politics if it’s too much work to be at the highest level and represent your supporters?”
For Links, having party leaders in parliament ensures they remain accountable to their supporters and actively participate in national decision-making processes.
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Links was responding to criticism directed at political party leaders who will occupy the single seat their parties secured in the November 2024 National Assembly elections. According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), seven of the 13 political parties heading to parliament obtained only one seat. These parties include the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), All People’s Party (APP), Body of Christ (BOC), Swanu of Namibia, Republican Party (RP), National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO), and the National Democratic Party (NDP).
As per the gazetted National Assembly lists, the leaders of these political parties are ranked first and will serve as their parties’ sole representatives in parliament.
A challenging balancing act
Last week, RP leader Henk Mudge told Namibian Sun that his party’s leadership will decide who will occupy their single seat. Mudge acknowledged the challenge of juggling parliamentary duties and party leadership, especially for parties with only one seat. He argued that having multiple representatives would allow responsibilities to be shared more effectively.
Critics have also voiced concerns, particularly regarding leaders of parties that lost seats compared to previous elections. They contend that such leaders failed to grow their parties and should consider stepping aside to allow others to represent the party in parliament.
Links defends leaders in parliament
In contrast, Links believes that a political party leader must be in parliament, regardless of how many seats the party has. “If they're not leading government, then the leader of your political party should be in parliament. That’s just the way it is globally. In parliaments everywhere, the leaders of the parties are in parliament,” he stated.
He added that having someone else represent the party in parliament while the leader remains outside the national decision-making arena creates inefficiency. “You can’t be a leader if you’re outside of the national decision-making arena,” Links said.
Leadership and responsibility
Links also dismissed arguments that it is too demanding for party leaders to handle both parliamentary duties and party leadership responsibilities. He pointed out that political parties typically have administrative structures in place to handle organizational tasks.
“There’s administration and all that, but why are you the party leader? If it’s too much work, why are you doing politics? That doesn’t make sense,” he remarked. “Why are you doing politics if it’s too much work to be at the highest level and represent your supporters?”
For Links, having party leaders in parliament ensures they remain accountable to their supporters and actively participate in national decision-making processes.
[email protected]
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