The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s ruling party, has announced significant strides in its quest to form a government of national unity following its recent loss of an outright majority.
However, party secretary general Fikile Mbalula stated that the specifics of any agreement are not yet ready to be disclosed.
In the 29 May election, the ANC experienced a significant setback, securing only 40% of the vote and losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades.
This outcome necessitated alliances with other parties to ensure President Cyril Ramaphosa’s continued leadership.
The newly elected parliament is scheduled to convene on Friday for the first time, during which a presidential vote is anticipated. President Ramaphosa is expected to retain his position.
“We are talking to political parties as we speak right now,” Mr. Mbalula informed reporters following a meeting of the party’s senior officials, but he refrained from providing further details.
He did indicate that the negotiations are leaning towards the political center, noting that left-leaning ANC breakaway parties have declined to join the coalition.
Mr. Mbalula confirmed that the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) has agreed in principle to form a government of national unity with the ANC.
Nonetheless, the specifics of this cooperation are still under discussion.
“If the DA were to get some of these things that it wants it means the ANC will be dead,” he remarked, highlighting the delicate nature of the negotiations.
In the election, the DA secured 22% of the vote, positioning it as the second-largest party.
President Ramaphosa has previously criticized the DA, which garners much of its support from racial minorities, labeling it as “treasonous” and “reactionary.”
Any agreement with the DA is likely to face resistance from many within the ANC, given the DA’s advocacy for free-market policies, which clash with the ANC’s traditional left-wing stance and its historical representation of the white minority’s interests.
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