The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has highlighted that last week’s general elections, in which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades, “represents a victory for democracy” in the African country. “The final announcement of the results of the national and provincial elections represents a victory for our democracy, our constitutional order and all the people of South Africa,” he said. “We have held other successful elections that have been clean, fair and peaceful,” he praised. Thus, he stated that “the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has once again acted, despite many challenges, with excellence, professionalism and integrity”, while insisting that “South Africans care about their country”, according to a statement published by the Presidency of South Africa through its website. “South Africans have shown that they want to be part of making this country a better place. They have shown how important their vote is and that they know that their vote counts,” said Ramaphosa, who noted that “through their votes , have clearly demonstrated that democracy is strong, robust and endures. “As leaders of political parties, like all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have listened to the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes,” he said, before opting to “recognize the results of the elections as a reflection of the popular will”. In this way, he recognized that “these elections have made it clear that the people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs.” “They hope that the parties they have voted for will find common ground to overcome their differences and work together for the good of all,” he argued. “Our people expect all parties to work together, within the framework of the Constitution, and address existing challenges peacefully and in line with the clauses of the Constitution and the rule of law,” he stressed, before emphasizing that “It’s time to put South Africa above all else.” “The people of this country do not expect or deserve anything less,” he concluded. The official results of the elections have confirmed the debacle of the ANC, which has lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the country’s 30 years of democratic history. Thus, the government party has achieved 159 seats after obtaining 40.18 percent of the vote, while behind it is the Democratic Alliance (AD), with 87 seats and 2.87 percent support. Although the polls gave the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) third place, it was finally the newly emerged uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), supported by former president Jacob Zuma, who took this place after achieving 58 seats and 14.58 percent of votes compared to the EFF’s 39 seats and 9.52 percent of the ballots. Participation has been around 58.6 percent. Both the ANC and AD are undertaking talks to resolve an unprecedented coalition government. The collaboration of AD would guarantee a parliamentary majority thanks to the 40 percent of votes obtained by Congress plus the provisional 21 percent that the formation led by John Steenhuisen has for now, a party closely linked to the economic elites and exponent of the minority. white of the country.
