South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa was reelected as South Africa’s president during the first sitting of the newly elected parliament on Friday. However, it was with the support of the Democratic Alliance as his party did not have enough seats to push through his reelection following the loss of its majority in the country’s recent elections. He will now seek to form a government of national unity with the DA as well as with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Patriotic Alliance (PA), which have since signified their interest in the alliance. After they agreed on a deal, DA Leader John Steenhuisen called the day historic, highlighting the thorough negotiations that lead to the agreement. The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) refused to join the unity government, as did the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). Both parties, alongside center-left United Democratic Movement, will now seek to form the official opposition.
SOURCE: DW
