The African National Congress (ANC) held last-minute talks with other parties on Thursday to finalize a deal on who will be included in South Africa’s next government, just ahead of the newly elected parliament convening on Friday.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to win a new term in office, but the composition of the new government remains unclear.
The ANC, in power since the end of apartheid 30 years ago, lost its majority in the May 29 election, creating unprecedented political uncertainty in the democratic era.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) of South Africa stated on Wednesday that it would be willing to join a unity government with the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). This comes after no party managed to secure a parliamentary majority in last month’s elections.
Lawmakers are set to convene on Friday in Cape Town to elect their speaker, deputy speaker, and the country’s president, putting pressure on the ANC and other parties to finalize their governing coalition. The parties are likely to announce their decision on Thursday evening.