DA lists its parliamentary highlights of 2025

The Democratic Alliance (DA) ranks stopping a proposed value-added tax (VAT) increase as part of the national budget earlier in 2025 as one of the highlights of its parliamentary year.

Added to that, holding ministers accountable to the extent that it led to the removal of the former Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane, is also being counted as among the party’s successes.

Taking stock of the party’s parliamentary performance for 2025, chief whip George Michalakis has also recorded last week’s decision to establish an oversight committee for the Presidency as a win for the party.

While critics say the DA sometimes continues to behave like an opposition party despite being part of a governing coalition, Michalakis said his caucus is merely carrying out its parliamentary mandate.

“We have to continue to fulfil what is perceived to be that watchdog role, which some people find difficulty understanding that a governing party can be so adamant to do it, but it is a space we are very comfortable with and will continue to be.”

Michalakis said despite fewer laws being passed in 2025 than in previous years, he believes those that have been concluded in the year are of a higher standard.

This, he believes, can be ascribed to more collaboration and consultation since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

“I’d rather have fewer bills passed through the house in a year, but of better quality, than rubberstamping everything and pushing it through.”

He said his party will continue to also produce its own bills as it has done in the year, to reassert the party’s beliefs and to open discussion with its coalition partners on critical matters.