EFF Leader Malema Outlines Outright Demands For A Coalition Government

EFF Leader Malema Outlines Outright Demands For A Coalition Government

The leader of South Africa’s radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has announced the terms under which the party will join a coalition with the African National Congress.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing mounting pressure after guiding the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to its worst election results in 30 years, forcing it to share power.

With practically all votes in, the ANC is at 40%, down from 58% in the previous election.

Analysts believe this is lower than the party’s worst-case scenario of 45%.

Since the first democratic elections in 1994, when Nelson Mandela was elected president, the ANC has consistently voted above 50%.

However, support for the party has been declining dramatically due to dissatisfaction with high levels of corruption, unemployment, and crime.

According to a BBC source, the ANC leadership, including President Ramaphosa, is presently reviewing the next steps and preparing for complex coalition talks.

Its choices are a coalition with the DA, which is in second place with 22%, or the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, which has 15%.

The radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have 9%, hence a combination of these two parties would fall just short of the requisite 50%.

According to Julius Malema, the demands include the confiscation of white-owned land without compensation.

He defined this as a “cardinal principle” of the EFF and stated that the party would not compromise on it in any negotiations with the ANC.

“There are certain fundamental things which are deal breakers,” he said.

Mr. Malema also stated that the EFF wished to “work with the ANC”.

“If there is one party we can work with, it’s the ANC because when the ANC is comprised, they are not arrogant, you can work with them,” Mr Malema added.

The EFF finished third in the election, losing behind former President Jacob Zuma’s new party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).

He responded graciously, describing the MK’s performance as “commendable” and “decisive”.

EFF Leader Malema Outlines Outright Demands For A Coalition Government