ANC in Talks for Coalition After Losing Majority in Historic Election

South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is in talks with five other parties to form a government after losing its majority in the recent election. The ANC has had discussions with the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, and three smaller parties. However, no decision has been made yet, and the talks are still in the early stages. The ANC is seeking to form a coalition government to ensure national unity and stability. The party is also considering forming an agreement with the new MK Party led by former President Jacob Zuma. However, there has been no positive response from the MK Party so far. The ANC must reach an agreement with other parties before June 16 to elect a president. President Cyril Ramaphosa is seeking a second term, and the parliament needs to be in place for this to happen. The ANC risks alienating some of its traditional base by forming a coalition with opposition parties. Analysts have warned that this move could lead to tensions within the party and its alliance partners. The MK Party, formed in 2023, performed well in the elections and has become the third-largest party in the country. The prospect of the ANC forming a coalition with the DA is expected to face opposition from some ANC members and alliance partners. South Africa is entering a new political period as the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in over 30 years. The party's share of the vote decreased significantly, leading to the need for coalition negotiations with other parties. The ANC acknowledges past mistakes in governance that have caused discontent among the people. The party is now focused on putting South Africa first and respecting the choices made by the voters.