05/31/2024 – 21:15
After three decades in power, the African National Congress is unable to achieve an absolute majority in elections and will have difficulty forming a government coalition. Former president Jacob Zuma’s new party could tip the balance. South Africa’s political parties are accelerating negotiations to seal possible government coalitions, after the African National Congress (ANC), President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party, becomes increasingly close to losing the absolute majority that it has maintained in the country over the last three decades.
With 94.66% of the votes counted as of Friday night (31/05), the ANC accounted for 40.69% of the total, against 21.53% for the center-right opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). . The left-wing party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), founded a few months ago by former president Jacob Zuma, won 14.31% of the vote. In fourth place comes the radical left party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), with 9.44%.
If the final result confirms this trend, it will mean a drop of around 15% in popular support for the ANC – the party founded by Nelson Mandela – compared to the 2019 elections. The numbers reflect voters’ dissatisfaction with rampant unemployment, problems of infrastructure and serious crises in energy supply.
The loss of support is a blow to the party that forced Zuma to resign in 2018 amid a series of corruption allegations, which he denies. Despite remaining the largest party in the country, the ANC will have to negotiate a government coalition with at least one of the other political forces. The decision must be taken within a period of 14 days, established by the Constitution, with the indication of a name to occupy the Presidency.
Within this framework, Ramaphosa’s re-election is seen as increasingly uncertain. Analysts point out that his permanence in office, as well as his authority within the ANC, are seriously threatened.
“We have already spoken to everyone, even before the elections,” said ANC deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane, during the count. “Everything must happen based on principles, and not on a gesture of desperation.” The party has dominated South African politics since the end of Apartheid, the racial segregation regime that prevailed in South Africa between 1948 and 1994.
Incompatibilities
A possible coalition with the DA, led by John Steenhuisen, will face resistance from internal sectors of the ANC. The pro-market and pro-privatization platform, which foresees the end of the economic empowerment of the black population, is in direct confrontation with the traditions of Mandela’s party.
The most likely would be a coalition with the EFF or Zuma’s MK, which does not please the more moderate wings of the ruling party. Furthermore, the rift between Ramaphosa and Zuma – which has not yet overcome the loss of the warrant in 2018 – is seen by many as impossible to overcome.
An MK spokesperson said during the investigation that the party will not engage in discussions with the ANC while Ramaphosa is in power. He said any potential coalition partner must commit to advancing radical reforms to the Constitution and granting a pardon to Zuma, who has been ineligible since the corruption scandals.
“We will bring Zuma back to the National Assembly and put him back in the Presidency; It’s as simple as that,” said the spokesperson.
In the three decades that the ANC was in power, its leaders were involved in a series of corruption scandals, amid a shrinking of the most industrialized economy on the African continent and an increase in crime and unemployment to record levels.
rc (AFP, ots)
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