Popular Front for Democracy

The Popular Front for Democracy (PFD; Sesotho: Khoeetsa ea Sechaba; German as: " People's Front for Democracy ", Khoeetsa means " cord which is worn by the newborn 's neck, and good luck ", eg: "Happiness cord of the nation" ) is a party in Lesotho. It was 2012 fifth- largest party in the parliamentary elections.

History

Was founded in 1984 with the support of set up in 1961 and 1970, banned the Communist Party of Lesotho ( CPL), the leftist United Fatherland Front ( UFF ). The parliamentary elections in 1985 were boycotted by all parties except the ruling Basotho National Party ( BNP). In 1986, the activities of all parties were banned in the wake of the military coup, so that the UFF never took to elections. The UFF was re-established on the initiative of some left-wing lecturers from the National University of Lesotho in 1990 as Popular Front for Democracy. In 1991, Parties, including the PFD, re-admitted. The PFD was initially a socialist programmatic; later, she took a moderate stance left. Among other things, she accepted the role of the Chiefs.

In the parliamentary elections in 1993, she received 900 votes and no seat after the 1998 elections, a modified proportional representation was introduced, so that the PFD at the 2002 elections for the first time received one of the 120 seats, thanks to about 6,300 votes. The seat she could hold during the 2007 elections. Chairman since 1999, the lawyer Rakuoane Lekhetho.

In the 2012 elections for the first time they won a direct mandate and two other seats. She received 11,000 votes, or around two percent. The direct mandate has been won in the rural constituency Qalo in Butha -Buthe District. The PFD supported since the newly elected coalition government led by the chairman of the All Basotho Convention, Tom Thabane.

Structure and policy

The PFD is led by a chairman and a 30 - member board ( National Executive Committee ). Every two years there shall be a Party, on which the board is elected by secret ballot. The number of members is several thousand. The emblem of the party is a five-pointed star.

The PFD represents the interests of the workers and peasants, but also the middle class and the intelligentsia. The PFD has official links with the trade union federation Lesotho Congress of Trade Unions, but also to the South African ruling African National Congress and South African Communist Party.