What We Know Ahead of Friday’s Deadline for South Africa to Form a Coalition and Elect a President

May 25, 2023

The deadline for South Africa’s political parties to form a coalition government and elect a new president is fast approaching, with just three days to go. The outcome of these negotiations holds significant implications for the country’s future.

Current Situation

Following the May 8 general elections, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. With 199 seats in the 400-member National Assembly, the ANC needs to form alliances with other parties to govern.

Coalition Negotiations

The ANC has been in negotiations with several smaller parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). However, these talks have proven challenging, with both parties expressing concerns about the ANC’s performance in government and its policies.

Possible Candidates

If the ANC fails to form a coalition, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future as president is uncertain. Potential alternatives include: *

Mmusi Maimane:

Leader of the DA, the largest opposition party in the National Assembly *

Julius Malema:

Leader of the EFF, a radical left-wing party *

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma:

Former ANC President and Minister of Health

Deadline and Possible Extension

The deadline for the formation of a coalition and the election of a president is Friday, May 26. However, Parliament can request an extension of up to two weeks if there is a “good reason” for doing so.

Significance of the Outcome

The outcome of Friday’s negotiations will shape South Africa’s political landscape for years to come. A successful coalition government could provide stability and continuity, while a prolonged impasse could lead to political uncertainty and economic instability.

Key Challenges

The major challenges facing the coalition negotiations include: * Differing ideologies and policy preferences between the parties * Concerns about corruption and the ANC’s economic management * Personal ambitions and power struggles within the parties

Conclusion

The next three days will be crucial for South Africa as its political parties race to agree on a coalition government and elect a new president. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s future. As Friday’s deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Parliament as it works to find a solution that will ensure a stable and prosperous future for all South Africans.“`html“`html

CAPE+TOWN,+South+Africa—+South+Africa’s+Parliament+is+due+to+elect+a+president+on+Friday+and+the+main+political+parties+are+still+working+out+the+final+details+of+a+coalition+deal+that+may+or+may+not+allow+Cyril+Ramaphosa+to+return+for+a+second+term+as+leader+of+the+most+important+parties+in+Africa.++industrialized+economy.

It+appears+likely+to+reach+the+limit+after+Ramaphosa’s+African+National+Congress+party+said+it+would+hold+a+meeting+of+its+top+officials+in+Cape+Town+on+Thursday+night,+just+12+hours+before+Parliament+meets+in+the+city+and+begin+the+process+of+electing+the+president.

South+Africa+has+been+in+a+political+deadlock+since+the+ANC+lost+its+30-year+majority+in+an+election+two+weeks+ago,+forcing+it+to+reach+out+to+other+parties+to+seek+some+kind+of+deal+to+co-govern+for+the+first+time.++The+ANC’s+first+priority+is+to+re-elect+Ramaphosa,+but+it+will+need+the+help+of+other+lawmakers+because+he+no+longer+has+a+parliamentary+majority.

No+final+agreement+between+the+parties+has+been+announced+and+the+ANC’s+own+internal+leadership+also+has+to+formally+approve+any+coalition.++Here’s+what+we+know+about+the+country’s+most+important+political+negotiations+in+three+decades.

How+the+president+is+elected+

South+Africans+elect+a+new+parliament+every+five+years+and+vote+for+parties+that+are+allocated+seats+based+on+their+vote+share.++Those+legislators+then+elect+the+president.++Because+the+ANC+had+a+majority+since+the+end+of+white-majority+government+under+the+apartheid+system+in+1994,+voting+for+president+was+previously+a+formality+and+it+was+always+the+leader+of+the+ANC.

This+time+it’s+different.++Ramaphosa,+71,+could+still+easily+win+a+second+term+if+he+is+the+only+candidate+nominated+in+Parliament+on+Friday;++he+would+then+he+would+be+automatically+re-elected.++But+if+another+candidate+or+candidates+are+nominated,+a+vote+will+be+held+and+the+ANC+would+need+its+coalition+partners+to+ensure+Ramaphosa’s+re-election.

First+piece+of+the+puzzle+

The+Inkatha+Freedom+Party+announced+on+Wednesday+night+that+it+would+join+the+ANC’s+proposed+“national+unity+government”,+the+first+piece+of+the+coalition+puzzle.++He+backed+Ramaphosa+for+a+second+term.++But+the+IFP+only+has+17+seats+in+the+400-seat+lower+house+of+parliament+that+elects+the+president+and+the+ANC+needs+others+to+reach+the+critical+point+where+they+have+a+joint+majority.