What is a coalition government and what does it mean for SA?

POLOKWANE – The 2024 General Elections are over and with the ANC losing it’s majority for the first time since 1994, the country’s political parties now enter coalition talks with one another.

You might have heard the term ‘coalition’ a lot in the past few days, but what does it actually mean?

According to the SA Government, a coalition exists when two or more political parties (or independent representatives) combine their votes in a legislature or a council, to elect a government, and to support the decisions it takes.

This becomes necessary when no single party has a majority of the seats in the legislature or council as is the case with the ANC following the elections.

In South Africa, elections always result in multiple parties being represented in Parliament, a provincial legislature or a municipal council.

The executive leadership (president, premiers and mayors) is always elected by that legislature and can be removed by the legislature.

If none of the parties has more than 50% of the seats, a coalition is, therefore, necessary to support the executive. Otherwise the president, premier or mayor is likely to be voted out of power.

Is a coalition government advantageous? 

According to Prof Jaap de Visser via the SA Government website, coalitions can deepen democracy.

“One advantage is that a coalition government of multiple political parties will represent differeYou might have heard the term ‘coalition’ a lot in the past few days, but what does it actually mean? The Polokwane Review-Observer unpacks the term.nt political ideologies, cultures and ideas. This helps to bring communities together, because they see their representatives work together. Another advantage is that a coalition government adopts compromise-based policies. These policies may last longer than policies adopted by one majority party, which may be abolished as soon as it loses power. Lastly, having well-managed coalition governments may make government more stable in the long run,” he writes.

What are the disadvantages?

The composition of the government may not perfectly reflect the will of the voter.

“For example, a large party could not be in the government if enough other parties come together against it. At the same time, the smallest party may be part of the government. Second, coalition governments may be unstable. If the coalition partnership is weak, in other words, the parties or their representatives in the legislature or the council end up in a conflict soon after the coalition was formed, it will not last,” de Visser said.

As a result, decisions are postponed and the legislature or council becomes pre-occupied with politics, as opposed to governance and service delivery.

Forming a coalition and voter participation:

There is no predetermined formula or procedure when it comes to forming coalitions.

“When an election produces a ‘hung council’, the parties and in the council must explore options, find each other, and hopefully negotiate a partnership before the first meeting of the council, when office-bearers are elected,” de Visser said.

Voters do not have a say in the forming of a coalition as they are negotiated between political parties and, where applicable, independent representatives.

However, once a coalition government is in place, it is fully accountable to voters and residents for all its decisions, and is duty bound to involve the public in its decision making.

Determining seats in parliament: 

“In principle, there are no rules for the distribution of seats on the executive. In national and provincial government, the President and the premiers decide the composition of their cabinet,” de Visser said.

Meanwhile, the ANC, in a statement said it is committed to the formation of a government that reflects the will of the people, that is stable and that is able to govern effectively.

“Over the next few days the ANC willbe having discussions within the organisation and with other parties and stakeholders on how best to establish national and provincial governments that reflect the will of the people and that are able to take the country forward.”

STATEMENT BY ANC SECRETARY GENERAL ON OUTCOME OF 2024 ELECTIONS

The African National Congress (ANC) commends the people of South Africans for once again demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our democracy.#ANCThanksSA pic.twitter.com/oPgOrU5vD4

— African National Congress (@MYANC) June 2, 2024

The official opposition, the DA, said they have appointed a negotiating team to facilitate engagements with other parties.

🇿🇦 To rescue SA, the DA has appointed a negotiating team to facilitate engagements with other parties. The DA will do anything to stop the MK party and the EFF to take over power.

Full speech: https://t.co/Vieoh94km3

We must create more jobs and lift people out of poverty. pic.twitter.com/5N7uHUmy5E

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) June 2, 2024