On Friday evening, South Africa elected Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term as President of the Republic. Despite losing the absolute majority in the National Assembly, the African National Congress still holds a majority of 159 seats in Parliament. This election session was presided over by Judge Raymond Zondo, who declared Ramaphosa as the duly elected president after he won by a wide margin over his competitor Julius Malema from the EFF party.
The South African Parliament met to elect a head of state following recent legislative elections held at the end of May. The formation of a coalition government between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, the largest opposition party, resulted in this election. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Ramaphosa on his re-election, showing international recognition of the democratic process in South Africa.
The new coalition government focuses on center-right and center-left parties, as well as nationalist and minority parties, in an effort to promote unity and cooperation among different political factions. This approach marks a shift towards a more inclusive government that represents the diversity of the South African population. Ramaphosa’s re-election and the formation of this coalition government signify a new chapter in South Africa’s political landscape.
