The Democratic Party (DP) was the name of the South African political party now called the Democratic Alliance (DA). Although the Democratic Party name dates from 1989, the party existed under other labels throughout the Apartheid years, when it was the Parliamentary opposition to the ruling National Party's policies (although it never commanded much support from the white electorate). After the 1999 election, the DP, under the leadership of Tony Leon, became Official Opposition to the African National Congress-led government.

As the party absorbed smaller antiapartheid groupings, as well as defectors from the United Party (the main opposition party in South Africa prior to 1977), its name changed a few times. Prior to the adoption of the Democratic Party label, it was known variously as the Progressive Party, Progressive Reform Party , and Progressive Federal Party. For more information about the history of the party, see the Democratic Alliance article.

The DP had a short-lived merger with the New National Party (NNP) from 2000 to 2001 to form the Democratic Alliance (DA). Even though the NNP left the alliance, the DA chose to retain its new name. For more information about the DA since its formation in 2000, see the article: Democratic Alliance.

See also

• Liberalism
• Contributions to liberal theory
• Liberalism worldwide
• List of liberal parties
• Liberal democracy
• Liberalism in South Africa