South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised for reelection after his African National Congress (ANC) party struck a last-minute coalition deal with its long-time political rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), during the first sitting of the new Parliament on Friday.
John Steenhuisen, the DA leader, announced the coalition agreement with the ANC to co-govern Africa’s most industrialized nation.
This agreement, which includes DA lawmakers backing Ramaphosa for a second term, comes just before lawmakers are set to elect a president.
With the combined majority of seats held by the ANC and the DA in the 400-member Parliament, Ramaphosa’s reelection seems assured. If Ramaphosa is the only candidate nominated, a vote may not even be necessary, and he would be reelected automatically.
“From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration,” Steenhuisen declared, calling it a historic step forward.
Steenhuisen stated that Ramaphosa should continue as president since the ANC received the largest share of votes in the recent national election, despite losing its Parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The ANC’s need for a coalition to reelect the 71-year-old Ramaphosa has led to an unprecedented political deadlock in South Africa.
Two smaller parties will also join the governing coalition, marking the first national-level coalition in South Africa’s democratic history. The coalition agreement was finalized late Thursday after extensive negotiations.
This coalition brings together two of South Africa’s longest-standing political rivals. The DA, traditionally the main opposition and a fierce critic of the ANC, will now help extend the ANC’s three-decade hold on the presidency.