President Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil political parties that are keen to work with the African National Congress (ANC) in coalition governments in over 60 hung councils across the country.
This follows the governing party’s special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at Irene in Pretoria on Sunday. The meeting was called to take stock of the outcome of the local government election and discuss a possible coalition pact.
At least 66 hung councils are up for grabs after the 2021 local elections and different parties big and small are now engaged in political horse-trading.
Although denying being a big loser in these elections, the ANC has at least lost in majority in eThekwini – the privilege it enjoyed since 1994. Its electoral support has also dipped in all Gauteng metros.
On Sunday, the governing party’s highest decision body the NEC held a special meeting to ponder on which parties to work with to govern in hung councils.
Discussions with keen parties are led by the policy guru Jeff Radebe who said the interest of citizens will supersede the ANC’s self-interest.
LGE 2021 I ANC NEC in talks over possible coalitions post-local government elections
He said they won’t compromise on the provision of services to citizens in their quest to form coalitions with these parties.
Jessie Duarte said the door is open to everyone who is willing to work with them.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is willing to speak with the ANC while Herman Mashaba’s Action-SA has openly said it will not negotiate anything with the governing party.
ANC Treasurer General Paul Mashatile met with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Saturday, but the red berets are still to decide with their negotiations team. Led by their second-in-command Floyd Shivambhu, they still pondering on their possible coalition partners.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is also open to negotiate with the ANC elsewhere, but not in KwaZulu-Natal.
Duarte said there hasn’t been much progress and for now their possible coalition partners remain a closely guarded secret.
LGE 2021 | Unpacking the politics of coalition governments
