The African National Congress’s largest rival, the pro-business Democratic Alliance has agreed to form a government of national unity for South Africa.
Inkatha Freedom Party yesterday agreed to join the national unity government, following calls by the ANC under President Cyril Ramaphosa, and now SABC reports that the Democratic Alliance lawmakers have agreed to support Ramaphosa for president if a deal is signed.
One of the senior DA officials on the party’s negotiating team, Helen Zille, said on Friday morning, that details were still being ironed out and DA will have to work until the very last minute to get an agreement in place.
The announcement came as the newly elected parliament was convening for the first time and lawmakers were in the process of being sworn in.
The chamber will later elect its speaker, deputy speaker and the country’s president.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC leader, is expected to win a new term in office under the terms of the agreement, although it was not immediately clear what policy concessions the ANC made to its new partners to achieve a deal.
