WORLD : Botha Loses Ruling Party’s Support
<i> From Times staff and wire service reports </i>
CAPE TOWN, South Africa —
South Africa’s ruling white National Party today backed party leader F. W. de Klerk in his challenge to President P.W. Botha, setting up a threatened confrontation.
De Klerk told reporters after emergency meetings of the party’s supreme Federal Board and its 133-member caucus that the party wanted its leader to take over the presidency. Botha stepped down as party chief following a stroke in January but has vowed to stay on as state president for at least another year.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
