ANC Targets National Unity Government Following Failure To Security Majority In Parliament

The African National Congress (ANC) after losing its majority in parliament is looking at forming a government of national unity. The party has reached out to all parties and negotiations for a united government are underway.

Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri is ANC's spokesperson. Photo Credit: Reuters

At the recently concluded parliamentary polls in South Africa, the ANC secured about 40% of the total vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 22%, Jacob Zuma’s MK party at 15% and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 9%.

Reacting to the election results in an interaction with the media, Ms Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, the spokesperson for the ANC said, “The results indicate that the South Africans want all parties to work together.”

Although the ANC secured majority in the parliamentary elections, they cannot form a government as South Africa’s proportional representation system dictates that, for a government to be formed, a party or parties together must attain 50% or more of votes.

To form a government, Ms Bhengu-Motsiri says the ANC has begun negotiations with the DA, the EFF and other small parties.
The ANC spokesperson says the primary goal of the party now is to elect a president to form its next government and to resolve the parliamentary impasse for parliament convene in less than two weeks.

The ANC’s failure to win a simple majority in parliament marks the first time the party has lost its majority since Nelson Mandela led it to victory in the country’s first democratic elections.

Forming a government of national unity would enable the ANC to avoid the dilemma of choosing coalition partners.