ANC Plots Life Without DA in Coalition Talks

The African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) are set to engage in coalition negotiations, but the future of their government of national unity (GNU) is uncertain. The ANC's national executive committee (NEC) meeting recently heard calls for the GNU to be reviewed, with some members arguing that the DA's inclusion was responsible for the ANC's decline in the municipal elections.

ANC insiders revealed that most NEC members who spoke at the meeting wanted to revive calls for an end to the GNU in its current form, with some arguing that the DA should be the "last resort" in coalition talks. ActionSA is reportedly the first preference for the ANC. The party is considering all options to secure a deal as several municipalities prepare to elect new mayors, putting pressure on parties to conclude agreements.

Johannesburg and Tshwane are expected to hold their inaugural council sittings, and the ANC is holding marathon meetings with other parties to consider its options. ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly told the NEC meeting that he was "tired of the DA", citing the party's constant second-guessing of ANC policies. However, the DA remains unmoved by threats from the ANC to dump it, saying a deal between the two parties remains viable.

DA federal council chair Ashor Sarupen said the party was not aware of any ANC plan to dump it as a co-governing partner. The ANC's coalition talks team has been presented with four options, including prioritizing a local government of unity (LGU) option, which would produce stable governments in all eight metros. However, this option was deemed the least preferred after NEC members expressed misgivings about working with the DA.

The second option is for the ANC to go into an alliance with only the DA, ActionSA, and the IFP, which would secure a majority in all the metros. However, some NEC members felt this option would give the other three parties too much leverage over policy direction. A separate agreement with ActionSA and smaller parties, excluding the DA, is also being considered, but this could raise stability concerns.

The final option is a confidence-and-supply agreement, under which the largest party would form a minority government in council while other parties remain in opposition. ANC insiders said the meeting had resolved that the party should adopt a position of "tactical flexibility" in coalition negotiations, engaging all parties while avoiding any commitment to working with the DA.

The decision could have implications for the future of the national coalition, with some within the ANC questioning whether the arrangement had delivered the benefits originally promised. Ramaphosa reportedly told the meeting that he had been questioned by party members who were unhappy with the coalition with the DA.

Key points

• ANC considers coalition options without DA as GNU's future hangs in the balance
• DA remains unmoved by threats from ANC to dump it as co-governing partner
• ANC adopts position of "tactical flexibility" in coalition negotiations