CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have reached a deal to form a coalition government after the ruling party lost its 30-year parliamentary majority in last month’s election.
The state broadcaster SABC reported Friday that South Africa’s biggest opposition party DA reached an agreement to form a multi-party coalition government.
“The DA has reached agreement on the statement of intent for the formation of a government of national unity,” John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, said, adding that the DA would join the ruling ANC and the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
Hellen Zille, the former leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), is representing her party in the talks. “We thought we had a finalized agreement at 2 a.m. this morning, but a few issues have arisen that need sorting out,” Zille said on Friday.
The Inkatha Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance have both signalled their intention to join the unity government. However, former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK party), despite winning 15% of the vote, will not be joining.
The left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters have also declined to join the coalition.
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has 159 lawmakers in the 400-member National Assembly, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) has 87, the MK party has 58, the Economic Freedom Fighters has 39, IFP has 17, and the remaining 14 parties in parliament have between nine and one seats each.
As part of the agreement, South African lawmakers are reportedly set to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.
“We have agreed to cooperate on the president and the national and provincial legislatures,” said Fikile Mbalula, the secretary-general of the ANC, on Friday.
The African National Congress, ruling the country since 1994, had proposed the formation of a government of national unity earlier this month after losing its majority in parliament.
