ANC unlikely to sit on opposition benches in Gauteng metros, say political analysts
Political analysts said that while the DA needs a 50% plus one majority to govern outright, an alternative coalition involving the ANC, EFF and ActionSA could also reach the required threshold.
Alpha Ramushwana
ANC Flags . Picture: X/MYANC
X/MYANC
With coalition negotiations between political parties currently underway, some political analysts said they doubt the ANC would be willing to take up the opposition benches in Gauteng’s metros.
The DA emerged as the largest political party in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni following Wednesday’s voting.
The ANC and ActionSA came in behind the DA across all three metros.
Political analysts said that while the DA needs a 50% plus one majority to govern outright, an alternative coalition involving the ANC, EFF and ActionSA could also reach the required threshold.
Political parties have two weeks to reach coalition agreements, with all municipal councils required to elect their mayors within 14 days.
With the DA emerging as the largest party in all three Gauteng metros, its challenge will be to secure coalition partners that can give it the required 50% plus one majority in each council.
Political analyst Wayne Sussman said he doubts the ANC would be willing to serve in the opposition in any of the metros and would possibly explore some form of coalition arrangement.
“Traditionally, they haven’t decided to go into opposition benches, meaning it would be quite a statement for them to agree to sit in the opposition benches and not agree to work with anyone. I think that’s unlikely at this stage. I think the ANC have to take stock of these results, but ultimately, I think they will choose to work with either the DA, ActionSA, or Umkhonto we Sizwe.”
Another analyst, Sanusha Naidu, says the DA would definitely want to run all three metros in the province.