South African lawmakers are set to elect a president on Friday in a historic event that marks the first time in 30 years where the outcome is not a mere formality. Cyril Ramaphosa, seeking a second term as leader of Africa's most industrialized economy, faces a challenging path to reelection after his African National Congress (ANC) party lost its long-held majority in a recent election.
The ANC is currently in talks with other parties, particularly the main opposition Democratic Alliance, in hopes of securing enough support for Ramaphosa's reelection. While a coalition agreement in principle has been announced, final details are still being worked out, and it remains uncertain if all coalition partners will back Ramaphosa in Parliament.
With no other candidate nominated, Ramaphosa is expected to be reelected if he is the sole nominee. However, if other candidates are put forward, a vote will follow, adding to the political tension in the country.
Parliament, which must convene and vote for the president within 14 days of the election results being declared, faces a deadline on Sunday. The ANC's three-decade hold on the presidency is at stake as the party navigates through coalition talks and the changing political landscape following the recent election.
South Africa has not experienced such political uncertainty since the end of apartheid in 1994, with the ANC's clear majority in Parliament being challenged for the first time. The upcoming parliamentary session will see the election of a speaker and deputy speaker before the crucial vote for president, a process that could take hours given the complex political dynamics at play.
Despite challenges such as the boycott by the MK Party and the unusual setting of Parliament due to a fire in 2022, the country is poised to witness a significant moment in its political history as lawmakers gather to decide the next leader of South Africa.
Sources: AP Africa news
