NP set to withdraw from GNU

Deputy President F.W. de Klerk announced that the National Party was to withdraw from the Government of National Unity on June 30. This came after the African National Congress (ANC) refused that the coalition government agreement be extended beyond 1999. This meant the NP was declaring itself an official opposition party to the ANC, forfeit the Deputy President position, which de Klerk held, however its members retaining their seats in parliament. Another National Party member Roelof Meyer said his party's withdrawal from the Government of National Unity had become necessary as it had become increasingly clear the ANC, and particularly President Nelson Mandela, had decided the time for majority rule had arrived. A specific example was the appointment of Trevor Manuel as Finance Minister. Mandela had not consulted NP leader Deputy President F W de Klerk but had just informed him.