South Africa’s ruling African National Congress is looking to establish a national unity government with major opposition parties following a loss of its majority in recent general elections. This marks the first time in 30 years since the country’s initial post-apartheid elections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled this plan on Thursday after extensive discussions within the ANC and with other significant parties. Rather than forming a grand coalition with the Democratic Alliance or aligning with uMKhonto we Sizwe, the ANC aims to create a broad, multiparty coalition to avoid reliance on a single rival party.
Analysts have warned that depending too heavily on one opposition party could pose risks for the ANC. By pursuing a diverse coalition, the ANC hopes to mitigate this potential threat.
The ANC faces a deadline of June 18 to finalize the details of the national unity government.
But what exactly is a national unity government, how might it operate, and has this model been implemented in South Africa or elsewhere before?
What is a government of national unity?
A government of national unity aims to incorporate a wide spectrum of major political parties in the legislative body, even those with staunch rivalries. In South Africa’s case, this collaborative government structure would involve various parties overseeing different ministerial portfolios.
These unity governments are typically established during times of national crisis, such as war or economic turmoil, requiring a unified approach to address challenges. They are also utilized in countries facing deep internal divisions and lacking a clear mandate for any single party or candidate – a situation currently seen in South Africa.
One potential outcome of this arrangement is a significantly reduced opposition presence in parliament…
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