Word: klerk
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Botha, 73, had been on sick leave for two weeks when he astonished the country on Feb. 2 by giving up his leadership of the National Party. After the Transvaal province leader, Frederik W. de Klerk, 53, was elected to succeed him on the same day, puzzled party chiefs finally concluded that Botha was signaling his intention to retire. So they were shocked once again by Botha's televised announcement that he would be returning to work on March 15. In a rapid series of meetings, the Nationalists resolved that the positions of party leader and State President should...
...State President's unilateral announcement two weeks ago that there would be no national elections this year. Parliament's term expires in September, and a new body must be elected within six months. Not only are elections a party matter, which should have been decided by De Klerk, but the caucus was eager to call an election as early as May to take advantage of pratfalls by the opposition parties. Botha protests that he is "not looking for power for the sake of power," and does "not cling to posts." But it seems to many of his colleagues that...
...return of the Great Crocodile, as Botha is not so affectionately called, dispelled the feeling of relief that had swept over the party and white South Africans in general while he was out of commission and the more open-minded and tactful De Klerk had taken charge. De Klerk is from Voortrekker (pioneer) country and is as conservative in ideas and policies as Botha. But his style is less dictatorial, more conciliatory...
...signs that they will muster the audacity to force him out. They are too accustomed to subservience and too respectful of his position to challenge him politically. Talk in party circles now centers on a face-saving compromise under which Botha would share decision making with De Klerk, then retire gracefully in a few months. But P.W. Botha seems to have a "compromise" of his own in mind: he will serve out the last year of his term and De Klerk will wait his turn...
...Klerk is now the clear favorite to assume the job of State President when Botha steps down after leading the party to victory at the polls. Because splitting the duties of the two offices holds the potential for conflict, Botha's move increased speculation that he will call for elections sooner rather than later...