ANC opts for flexible coalitions after election losses, sources say - TimesLIVE

The ANC favours a flexible approach to municipal coalition negotiations with its national executive committee (NEC) expressing broad reservations about arrangements with smaller political parties and viewing the DA as a partner of last resort, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The party’s extended NEC meeting on Thursday, which ended at midnight, backed what sources described as “tactical flexibility” as the ANC prepares to negotiate governing arrangements across the country’s 257 municipalities after its losses in last week’s local government elections.

There was no appetite for a one-size-fits-all approach to coalition negotiations, with the party recognising that political circumstances differ between municipalities and that agreements would need to reflect local conditions.

While the DA remains a possible coalition partner, sources within the NEC said it was considered only as a last resort. The ANC is already in a national government of national unity (GNU) with the DA but the party’s approach to municipal arrangements is expected to be shaped by the balance of power and political considerations in each council.

There was also broad agreement among NEC members that entering into coalitions with smaller parties would not necessarily serve the ANC’s interests. The party is therefore expected to weigh the benefits of individual arrangements rather than pursue partnerships simply to secure governing majorities.

The party’s reduced support has left it dependent on agreements with other parties to retain control of several municipalities, including key metropolitan councils.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is expected to brief provincial and regional structures on the party’s position and the way forward as negotiations gather pace on Friday and hold a media briefing on Saturday on the matter.

The NEC discussions also did not produce calls for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, according to the sources, despite the party’s poor performance at the polls.

Very busy at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg today. Council of the Left with SACP, MKP and EFF having its own assessment of the elections and the way forward on coalitions. The ANC NEC is on the other end of the hotel having its own meeting @BDliveSA pic.twitter.com/KynHO5yPDB

The ANC’s preference for “tactical flexibility” comes as political parties have begun parallel negotiations to secure governing majorities in hung councils, with horse-trading already under way at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.

The DA held separate engagements with ActionSA, the IFP and the Patriotic Alliance, while the MK Party and IFP also held marathon discussions and the EFF, SACP and MK Party convened separately to discuss their coalition strategies.