South Africa’s parliament has re-elected Cyril Ramaphosa as the country’s president following a groundbreaking coalition deal between the governing African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties.

The new government of national unity brings together Mr. Ramaphosa’s ANC, the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), and smaller parties. In his victory speech, Mr. Ramaphosa praised the coalition, stating that voters expected leaders to “act and work together for the good of everyone in our country.”

The agreement was reached after a day of intense political drama, with the National Assembly sitting late into the evening to confirm the new administration’s power holders. Earlier, a deal was struck after weeks of speculation about the ANC’s coalition partner, following its loss of a parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years in last month’s elections. The ANC received 40% of the vote, while the DA secured 22%.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula described the coalition deal as a “remarkable step.” The agreement allows Mr. Ramaphosa, who succeeded Jacob Zuma as president and ANC leader after a bitter power struggle in 2018, to retain power. The next step is for Mr. Ramaphosa to allocate cabinet positions, which will include members of the DA.

The multi-party deal excludes two ANC breakaway parties, which may benefit if the coalition fails to deliver the economic improvements demanded by voters. However, opinion polls suggest that many South Africans want this unprecedented grand coalition to succeed.

The African National Congress (ANC) has consistently secured over 50% of the vote since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela become president. However, support for the party has waned due to widespread frustration over corruption, unemployment, and crime.

Addressing South Africa’s parliament after his confirmation, President Cyril Ramaphosa reflected on his party’s historic victory three decades ago. “We have been here before, we were here in 1994, when we sought to unite our country and to effect reconciliation – and we are here now,” he said.

The alliance between the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) and the ANC is unprecedented, given their long-standing rivalry. Under Nelson Mandela, the ANC spearheaded the fight against apartheid and won the country’s first democratic elections. The DA, often criticized for allegedly trying to preserve the economic privileges of the white minority established during apartheid, denies these charges.

John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, addressed lawmakers in Cape Town late on Friday, calling the day “historic” and “the start of a new chapter” for South Africa. The National Assembly also saw the ANC’s candidate sworn in as speaker, while the DA took the post of deputy speaker.

Julius Malema, head of the Economic Freedom Fighters and a former ANC member, accepted the election results but criticized the coalition. “We do not agree to this marriage of convenience, to consolidate the white monopoly power over the economy and the means of production in South Africa,” he stated.

This landmark coalition comes at a challenging time for the ANC, which has seen its support erode significantly over recent years. The partnership with the DA marks a significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape as both parties seek to address the country’s pressing issues.