South Africa, after 30 years Mandela’s party loses its majority, the unity government is born

Two weeks before the vote, a difficult agreement was found with the centre-right conservatives of the Democratic Alliance

ROME – The government of national unity is born in South Africa: the African National Congress (ANC), the historic centre-left party which belonged to Nelson Mandela and led the country out since apartheid, for the first time lost its majority in the elections of May 29, and now, after two weeks of exchanges and discussions, obtains the support of the main opposition party: the Democratic Alliance ( Democratic Alliance, Da). The local newspaper The Star reports it.

It is the first time since 1994 that the ANC is forced to seek the support of the Democratic Alliance – a centre-right party traditionally an opponent of the ANC – to go in government, having obtained approximately 40% of the votes. The DA, on the other hand, placed second with 22% of the preferences. The coalition will also include the conservatives of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which came out with 4%, and a point of reference for the ethnic Zulus community. This coalition will allow elected President Cyril Ramaphosa, in office since 2018, to confirm his second mandate.

“A new chapter opens in the history of this country”, commented the leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen. “These elections have made it clear that citizens do not want a single party to dominate our society.”

The government agreement pleases the business world, concerned about the program of two radical left-wing parties which, if they came to power, had promised the nationalization of land, mines and banks. Among these, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The agreement disappoints part of the ANC electorate, which does not recognize the values of the Democratic Alliance.