The party has been in power since 1994, but according to polls, growing disillusionment, due to water shortages, corruption and unemployment, does not guarantee the usual absolute majority.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated this Wednesday that he has “no doubt” that the ANC will win the country’s general elections, as all polls indicate, but without an absolute majority, after 30 years.
The 71-year-old head of state, who is serving a second term, told media after voting in Soweto, the birthplace of the African National Congress (ANC). African National Congress), near Johannesburg, where Ramaphosa grew up, that “there is no doubt that the people will once again express their confidence” in the party in power since the end of the racial segregation, in April 1994.
The leader of the main South African opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), gave voice to what all opinion polls have highlighted in recent weeks: that “no party” will obtain an “absolute majority” in these general elections, which, if confirmed, will be a historic setback for the ANC.
South African elections could mean the end of the ANC’s absolute majority
No party will win an absolute majority in these elections and, for the first time in 30 years, South Africa has the opportunity to change“, John Steenhuisen, the DA leaderafter having voted in Durban (southeast of the country).
This Wednesday, South Africa will elect a new parliament, in an unpredictable vote considered historic. Around 27.6 million registered voters have to choose between 52 parties to elect 400 deputies through a proportional representation system. This Wednesday the assemblies of the country’s nine provinces will also vote.
The ANC has in the current Parliament 230 of 400 deputies.
Polls will be open until 9:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT) and final results are not expected until the weekend. Parliament will elect next president in June.
Growing disillusionment with the ANC, associated with endemic unemployment, poverty, corruption and water and electricity shortages, is expected to cost the dominant party for three decades a result of less than 50% of the vote.
If this scenario is confirmed, the ANC will have to form a coalition to stay in power. The nature of this alliance, more towards the center or the liberal left, will determine the future direction of South Africa.
If the ANC obtains a better result than expected, that is, a little below 50%, it will only need a few deputies from small parties to maintain the general line that Ramaphosa has been following.
The district attorney, who promises “save south africa” and, in particular, its economy, could get around 25% of the vote, according to polls.
However, the biggest threat to the ANC may come from the small MK party (uMkhonto weSizwe, name of the former armed wing of the ANC, which former president Jacob Zuma gave to the party he formed in December 2023 to run in these elections), which could attract up to 14% of voterstaking advantage of those disillusioned with the party in power.
Voter turnout has been steadily declining over the past five years, going from 89% in 1999 to 66% in the last election in 2019.
Source: Observadora
