The seven political groups that will attend this meeting are the Democratic Alliance (DA), the country’s main opposition party, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Freedom Front Plus, AcciónSA, the National Freedom Party, the United Independent Movement and the National spectrum party
According to a DA statement, opposition parties will seek a viable way to secure a 50 percent + one majority in the elections, which is necessary “to form a government without the ANC, the EFF” (Economic Freedom Fighters). ) that could “offer all South Africans a successful future”.
The leaders of these seven organizations, the text says, have held a series of exploratory meetings over the past two months to lay the groundwork for a national convention at which opposition party leaders can negotiate a primary election pact, GIVES adds.
Key items on the proposed agenda include agreeing on the values and principles that will guide an eventual coalition government, formulating a minimum joint action program, rules for participation in the next election campaign and a formula for forming a cabinet in a can.
The 2024 elections, the document says, “represent an unprecedented opportunity for the South African people to elect a new government that can lead the country out of the multiple crises it is facing.”
They predict that the incumbent ruling party will lose its majority for the first time since 1994 when voters go to the polls next year.
With the support of the majority of South Africans, the ANC has ruled the country as the ruling party since the establishment of democracy after the end of the apartheid regime.
The ANC is currently the leader of a government alliance that includes the SACP (South African Communist Party) and the trade union federation Cosatu.
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