Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder has expressed his party's desire to form a coalition government with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane after the November 4 local government elections. Mulder stated that the FF Plus's preferred outcome in the capital was a coalition with the DA, as the two parties could potentially secure enough support to govern the metro together. He emphasized that this was his first choice for the city's governance.
According to a poll conducted by the Social Research Foundation in July, the DA has 43% support among likely voters in Tshwane, while the FF Plus has 8%, giving the two parties a combined 51%. The ANC was at 32% and ActionSA at 7%, with the EFF and the MK Party at 5% each. Mulder's comments come ahead of the local government elections, where the FF Plus is seeking to capitalize on its support.
However, Mulder said that the FF Plus wants the DA to make its coalition intentions clear before voters go to the polls. He specifically challenged the DA to say that they will not go into a coalition with the ANC in Tshwane, and that they have not responded yet. Mulder believes that the electorate is entitled to know the DA's stance before they go to the polls on November 4.
Mulder also criticized the DA's strategy, suggesting that they hope to be the largest party in some municipalities without securing an outright majority. He believes that the DA would then use this position of strength to negotiate coalition agreements, potentially with the ANC. Mulder has previously stated that the FF Plus expects coalition governments to become the norm.
Despite competing for some of the same voters, Mulder has given clear instructions in his party not to attack the DA during the campaign. He stated that if they are attacked, they will defend themselves. Mulder acknowledged that the DA and the FF Plus have a complicated relationship in certain constituencies but emphasized that they do not have a fundamentally bad relationship.
Mulder pointed to Oudtshoorn as an example of a coalition involving the DA and FF Plus that collapsed due to what he described as "DA arrogance". He argued that a larger party should be more willing to accommodate its smaller coalition partners. Despite this, the FF Plus has continued working with the DA in several other municipalities, including co-governing in 11 Western Cape councils after the 2021 local government elections.
The FF Plus has maintained coalitions with the DA in several municipalities, including Mossel Bay, Saldanha Bay, and Cape Agulhas. Mulder also stated that they had returned to a coalition with the DA in George after the DA's previous arrangement with the Good party collapsed. He emphasized that the FF Plus did not intentionally seek to form coalitions with the ANC.
Key points
- The FF Plus wants the DA to assure voters that it will not form a coalition with the ANC in Tshwane.
- The DA and FF Plus have a complicated relationship in certain constituencies, but Mulder has instructed his party not to attack the DA during the campaign.
- The FF Plus has continued working with the DA in several municipalities, including co-governing in 11 Western Cape councils after the 2021 local government elections.
