South Africa’s political landscape is in turmoil following the latest elections which saw the African National Congress (ANC) lose its thirty-year majority. Despite this, no party managed to overtake it, leaving the country in an electoral impasse. ANC representatives have begun preliminary discussions with five other parties with a view to forming a coalition or agreement to form a government, but no decision has yet been made.
According to ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, exploratory talks were held with the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, as well as three smaller ones. gone. Despite several attempts, the ANC has not obtained a positive response from the new MK party of President Jacob Zuma, a former ANC leader who has become a vocal critic of the current president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The ANC presents these discussions with other parties as an attempt to form a national unity government, while stressing that forming a formal coalition is not the only option being considered. It could include many parties in this agreement, not just those capable of reaching a majority with their respective share of votes. Furthermore, the ANC could also consider forming a minority government, or even going into opposition if this proves to be in the country’s interest.
This period of talks is crucial, as Parliament must meet by June 16 to elect a president, with Cyril Ramaphosa seeking a second term. Some form of agreement needs to be reached for this to come to fruition. The ANC is open to discussion with the more than fifty parties that participated in last week’s elections in order to reach a solution.
With only 159 of the 400 parliamentary seats to its credit, the ANC experienced its worst electoral score. It is followed by the Democratic Alliance with 87 seats, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party with 58 seats, the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters with 39 seats and the Inkatha Freedom Party with 17 seats.
Analysts warn of the risk of alienating the ANC’s traditional base by forming a coalition with the three main opposition parties. Additionally, some point to potential tensions between the ANC and the recently founded MK party, led by ANC dissidents.
It is clear that South Africa finds itself at a political crossroads, and the choices that are made in the days ahead will shape the country’s future for years to come.