{
  "id": 15472862,
  "title": "ANALYSIS: The ANC-DA national coalition will survive the elections, and could grow stronger",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/analysis-the-anc-da-national-coalition-will-survive-the-elections-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T19:20:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-18-the-anc-da-national-coalition-will-survive-the-elections-and-could-grow-stronger/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The recent Constitutional Court ruling has reignited discussions about the future of the ANC-DA national coalition. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula suggested that the DA should leave the coalition, arguing that their joint inclusion in the case was inconsistent with previous rulings. However, the longer-term interests of both the ANC and the DA suggest that the coalition is likely to survive for some time.\n\nMathematically, the ANC and the DA form a commanding majority in Parliament, making this the simplest possible coalition. Despite the potential for other permutations, none would be as stable as the current one, given their size, diversity, and predictable structures. The parties understand each other's composition and recognize that the other has strong factions that would be wary of the coalition's end.\n\nThe ANC has historical reservations about working with parties structured around one individual, such as the MK party or the EFF, due to past betrayals and the risk of leadership instability. While there may be personal feelings between the ANC leaders and those of the MK party, it does not guarantee stability. MK's leadership could change frequently, making it an unreliable partner.\n\nOn the other hand, the voters of the ANC and the DA are generally \"insiders\" in the economy, with formal jobs and property, making them less likely to support radical change from MK or the EFF. Implementing most of these parties' promises would threaten the economic interests of both ANC and DA voters.\n\nIn the short term, tensions between the ANC and the DA might prevent them from working together in local government, but history has shown that this is not always the case. The current coalition arrangement, while mathematically favorable, may require patience and patience from both parties as they navigate local dynamics.",
  "summary": "These local elections were always going to provide probably the toughest test for the parties in the national coalition. Despite signs that campaigning is testing the current arrangement, the longer-term interests of the ANC and the DA mean the national coalition is likely to survive for some time yet.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC-DA coalition mathematically favored in Parliament",
    "ANC wary of individual-led parties like MK",
    "Voters of ANC and DA prefer stability over radical change"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}