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Having regard to the reality that the new Parliament has to elect a new President by 16th June, there is not much time left for political affiliations to squabble
African National Congress office bearers have initiated preliminary talks with other political affiliations to explore the possibilities for a grand alliance to ensure a stable government. Analysts say that the exercise to cobble up a consensus will take several rounds of talks and a policy of give and take.
Although the representatives of the ANC claim that the talks were exemplary, there are reports that the most suitable alliance with the newly formed MK party of former President Jacob Zuma has hit a deadlock since the latter insisted the ANC look beyond Cyril Ramaphosa for leading the coalition government. It is difficult for the ANC to yield to that demand.
As reported by www.trendsnafrica.com, the workable alliance that can be cobbled up is that of the ruling ANC and the main opposition party Democratic Alliance, the white-dominated party. Although there can be resistance from some quarters of the ANC for such an alliance because of the basic political philosophies of both parties, they concede that there is synergies between their economic agenda.
Meanwhile, the ANC has framed the discussions with other parties as an attempt to form a government of “national unity” and a formal coalition is not the only option. It also aims at bringing many parties into the agreement and not just those who can reach a majority with their combined share of the vote. In a threatening tone, one of the spokespersons of the party said that ANC was even prepared to sit on the opposition benches. Analysts say it is a veiled threat to get across the country’s instability when the ANC with more than 40% of the seats sit outside the fence.
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Having regard to the reality that the new Parliament has to elect a new President by 16th June, there is not much time left for political affiliations to squabble.
