Political parties are gearing up for coalition talks behind closed doors after the African National Congress (ANC) dipped below 50% in Gauteng.
The party, which has led Gauteng since the dawn of Democracy, received 35% of the votes, a far cry from the 2019 elections where it received 50.2%.
Talks with the ANC on the future of the province should begin following today’s National Executive Committee meeting.
PA
Political parties agree that they will work with like-minded parties as coalition talks are expected to take place during the course of the week.
While demands are yet to be ironed out by smaller parties before entering into coalition talks, some parties believe a sharing of positions will be a key determinant.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) gained two seats in the Gauteng Legislature.
PA premier candidate Kenny Kunene says, “We have been consistent that when we vote for you to be Premier, Mayor or President, we must share power. That means sharing portfolios, which means when we raise those discussions, we will then raise the question of MEC portfolios, positions that must be allocated to the Patriotic Alliance.”
VIDEO | PA’s Kenny Kunene on possible coalition arrangements:
ActionSA
Action SA has only 4% of the votes in the province and the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party took the fourth position.
Action SA premier candidate, Funzi Ngobeni says, “We are grateful for the people that have voted for us nationally and provincially. In terms of a coalition, we are part of the Multi-Party Charter and that is our first point of call. National should be meeting in the next day or two.”
Meanwhile, talks continue between parties, including the Democratic Alliance, to pave a way forward.
VIDEO | Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa talks on coalition governments:
