JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Time is running out for South African political parties to conclude coalition talks by Aug. 20 in more than two dozen municipalities and metros where no party won majority seats in the Aug. 3 local government elections.
Experts say the most important talks are over the control of the administrative capital city of Pretoria and the economic hub of Johannesburg.
Different ideologies between the three leading parties, namely, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are becoming a stumbling block derailing the conclusion of the talks.
Out of the total of 213 municipalities, the ANC has majority in 161, with the DA dominating 19. In 26 municipalities no party achieved a majority, the three top parties are to scramble for coalitions to achieve 51 percent required for a majority rule.
However, the black-dominated ANC, the white-dominated DA and the EFF, have in the past battered and bruised each other's image. This has made it very difficult for these parties to compromise in the ongoing coalition talks.
The DA, which is the new party in charge of Pretoria after winning 43 percent of the votes, is involved in intensive coalition talks with the EFF which got 12 percent of the votes.
However, independent political analyst Piet Croucamp said these talks will not be easy considering the differences between the two parties.
"Given a choice, both the ANC and the DA will not necessarily consider the EFF as a reliable partner because they have seen in the past the EFF can use destructive means of gaining political influence," said Groucamp.
"Under normal circumstances, both the ANC and the DA will do everything they can to avoid having a coalition with the EFF."
However, the DA has no other option.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane has made it clear that no coalition will be formed between DA and the ANC, which obtained 41 percent of the votes in Pretoria.
On the other hand, the ANC is working extra time to form a coalition that will give it majority rule in Johannesburg where it won 45 percent of the votes.
With chances of a coalition between the ANC and the DA, which won 38 percent of the vote, having already been ruled out, the ANC is now only left with the EFF and smaller parties to clinch a coalition deal.
These, however, have also proved to be difficult coalition partners for the ANC.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa, who is coordinating coalition talks for smaller parties including the EFF, revealed that part of their demands for the ANC includes resignation of President Jacob Zuma and streamlining of his cabinet.
ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe indicated that these talks are not easy at all.
"If we agree, we will go and form a government. If we do not agree, we are also psychologically ready to be in opposition benches," Mantashe said.
DA Federal Council Chairperson, James Selfe, has already expressed confidence that his party will be able to conclude the talks before the Saturday deadline.
The EFF has also indicated that it could be announcing its coalition partners in the next few days.
There is no doubt that the negotiations are tough and tense, but above all, heavy compromises will be required.
