Congress of Democrats (Namibia)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Congress of Democrats (COD) Congress Democrats
Flag of the Congress of Democrats
Party leader Elago Amuthenu ( interim )
Deputy Chairman Elago Amuthenu
Honorary Chairman Ben Ulenga
founding April 19, 1999
Place of foundation Windhoek
Headquarters Windhoek
Colours) blue yellow
International connections Socialist International (SI) observer
Website www.cod.org.na

The Congress of Democrats ( German  Congress Democrats , CoD ) is an opposition party in Namibia . The party was led by its founder, Ben Ulenga , a former functionary of the ruling SWAPO party, as party president until July 20, 2015 .

The CoD first appeared in the 1999 National Assembly elections . In 1999 and 2004 they emerged as the official opposition party in the elections, but lost a lot of support in 2009 and won no more seats in the 2014 elections.

history

The CoD represents the second youngest party in Namibia and was founded in March 1999 by Ben Ulenga, a former high-ranking SWAPO politician, in protest about democratic deficits within SWAPO. The background to this decision was the constitutional amendment made by then President Nujoma in favor of a third term of office and the unauthorized decision to send Namibian military to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support President Kabila . On the part of SWAPO, other personalities followed Ulenga's example, but the party converts were less than expected.

In the first parliamentary elections in 1999 , the Congress Democrats were able to immediately become the second strongest party. However, given the continued dominance of SWAPO, the results were disappointing. The majority of the votes for the CoD came mainly from disappointed DTA supporters.

In 2009 the CoD lost a lot of votes. Only one seat was won in the 2009 parliamentary elections . With this election result, the importance of the CoD waned considerably. In the parliamentary elections in 2014 the party also lost its last seat.

On July 20, 2015, Ben Ulenga resigned from the party's chairmanship.

Content profile

The CoD is an urban, left-liberal party that wants to set itself apart from the authoritarian, anti-democratic, anti-liberal and corrupt tendencies within SWAPO. In terms of economic and social policy, there are hardly any differences to SWAPO. The difference to SWAPO is mainly cultural. The CoD primarily stands for ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. What the rights of homosexuals are concerned, the Congress Democrats differ greatly from all other parties in Namibia. In contrast to SWAPO, which continues to stigmatize homosexuals and lesbians and blame them as scapegoats for AIDS and other social problems, the Congress Democrats advocate strengthening the rights of homosexuals. In addition, the CoD is strongly committed to environmental protection. The CoD also calls for the government to be downsized, more power to be shifted to the individual regions and a greater role for traditional and religious leaders.

organization structure

The highest decision-making body of the CoD is the party congress, which takes place every three years. The delegates elect the party leadership, which consists of the president, general secretary, treasurer and their deputy as well as the chairman. In addition, the Congress elects the presidential candidate, the extended party executive committee and the 53-member National Executive Committee (NEC). The Presidium and the National Working Committee (NWC) are responsible for implementing the resolutions . The CoD also has a women's and youth organization ( Woman Democrats and Young Democrats )

electorate

The CoD has the least electorate that can be determined by ethnic or regional criteria. Like almost all opposition parties in northern Ovamboland , the Congress Democrats receive no support . In the public perception, especially as a party of intellectuals, the CoD receives its votes primarily from educated whites. Activists from the most important civil society organizations in Namibia (such as NAMRIGHTS ) are also likely to be close to the CoD, especially insofar as these are organizations that are organized by SWAPO dissidents or victims.

Election results

houses of Parliament

General election Voting shares Seats
2019 0.57%
0/96
2014 0.38%
0/96
2009 0.66%
1/72
2004 7.29%
5/72
1999 9.94%
7/72

president

Presidential election candidate be right Share of votes
2014 Ben Ulenga 3,518 0.39%
2009 Ben Ulenga 5,812 0.72%
2004 Ben Ulenga 59,547 8.28%
1999 Ben Ulenga 56,541 10.49%

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Parties and party systems in Namibia. (PDF; 218 kB) In: Friedrich Ebert Foundation . Retrieved April 21, 2010 .
  2. ↑ Allgemeine Zeitung, July 22, 2015
  3. ↑ Spot the difference: Political party platforms compared. (PDF; 695 kB) In: Namibia Institute for Democracy . December 2005, archived from the original on January 7, 2010 ; accessed on March 29, 2011 (English).