In South Africa, a week after the ANC’s serious electoral setback, the ruling party says it wants to form a government of national unity. As a reminder, the ANC only obtained 40% of the votes in the general elections and lost its absolute majority. The ANC spokesperson confirmed exploratory talks were underway with various opposition parties. And today, the all-powerful national executive committee of the ANC is meeting behind closed doors to discuss the different avenues.
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The NEC, the national executive committee, made up of the 80 main leaders of the ANC, is meeting right now in the suburbs of Johannesburg, to discuss a possible coalition government. Coalition with whom? On the right, with the Democratic Alliance, the leading opposition party, with a liberal tendency. On the left, with the Economic Freedom Fighters of Julius Malema or with MK, of Jacob Zumawhich became the second opposition party.
This choice of alliance is proving difficult, as there are so many currents within the ANC. Those close to the president Cyril Ramaphosa seem to favor a rapprochement with the Democratic Alliance. But the main trade union center, Cosatu and the Communist Party, allies of the ANC and which are part of this executive committee, reject an alliance with this movement deemed too liberal. There are also protest rallies right now outside the hotel where this meeting is taking place.
Preliminary discussions are taking place with several political parties, the ANC confirmed. Except with MK, who does not want to discuss as long as President Cyril Ramaphosa is in office.
A coalition agreement within a fortnight?
A decision could come this Thursday, tomorrow, or even next week, but the committee is very divided. He must decide on the choice of an ally, which will open the door to negotiations and a possible agreement within ten days, before the National Assembly meets and appoints the President of the Republic.
In the absence of an agreement on a government of national unity, the ANC will have to deal with a minority government. They will be able to reappoint the current head of state, since they only need a simple majority, but without an agreement, they will have to negotiate on a case-by-case basis each time they want to pass a law. ‘National Assembly.
Read alsoSouth Africa: at the ANC, negotiations have started to form a coalition