The Democratic Alliance has a new Parliamentary leader. John Steenhuisen was elected unopposed after he was the only person nominated for the position.

Nominations for the position closed on Friday night and the position was uncontested with only one nomination, said DA caucus chairperson Annelie Lotriet, who had been acting in the position.

READ MORE: Zille’s Allies: The New DA Leadership Set To Be All White

“Therefore the new parliamentary leader is John Steenhuisen. The DA’s parliamentary caucus looks forward to working with Mr. Steenhuisen and he can be assured of our support,” she said.

The former DA Chief Whip relinquished his position following Mmusi Maimane’s resignation as DA leader and Parliamentary leader last week. It’s been a particularly bruising week for the DA.

Steenhuisen told radio host Eusebius McKaiser on Radio702 on Thursday that he had been approached by several DA members to run for party leader, but wanted “the bodies to cool” first while he “gives it consideration”.

The DA’s federal council chairperson Athol Trollip also tendered his resignation while eight KwaZulu-Natal members left the party to join the ANC.

READ MORE: Next Month DA Will Hold An Urgent Federal Council Meeting

DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille is currently serving as interim leader of the party.

The DA’s Federal Council (FedCo) will meet on November 17 to elect an interim leader and interim chairperson of the party, FedCo chair Helen Zille tweeted on Friday morning.

She also claimed that they have “steadied the ship”.

2) On 17 November we have a special Federal Council to elect an interim leader and an interim chair.

Full Congress in April 2020. In the meantime, all structures are functional and stable. Parliamentary caucus elects a new leader within a week, who will appoint a new Chief Whip. — Helen Zille (@helenzille) October 25, 2019

Congratulations @jsteenhuisen, elected unopposed as the DA’s new Parliamentary Leader. pic.twitter.com/iBVbEyD6iR — Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 27, 2019