DA enters into coalition with UDM, ACDP, IFP & Cope
Mmusi Maimane says they negotiated with the EFF, but it's clear they would never agree on ideological issues.
JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane has announced that his party has entered into coalitions with several smaller parties including the United Democratic Movement, Freedom Front Plus, Congress of the People, African Christian Democratic Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
The DA leader made the announcement at a press conference in Pretoria this afternoon.
The #DA has reached agreements with #UDM, #IFP, #ACDP and #VF+ Which will have it more control over municipalities. pic.twitter.com/4dJD8pT3Lt
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 17, 2016
Maimane says the parties want to stop corruption, clean up governance and ensure the best people are running the country's municipalities.
He says the agreement has been set up nationally.
"This agreement has had to be set nationally, for the purpose on ensuring that we could really discuss how best we do local government within a constitutional framework."
On talks with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Maimane said that they had negotiated in good faith with the EFF, but it was clear they would never agree on ideological issues.
#DA Maimane: We negotiated in good faith with the EFF. It's quite clear we would never agree on ideological issues, never able to do that.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 17, 2016
He says the EFF's decision to vote with the DA gives the party a great chance to form governments in Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay.
#DA Maimane: The EFF offer gives us a great chance to form governments in Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay (doesn't mention Joburg). SG
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 17, 2016
Earlier today, Malema announced that his party would not form a coalition with the DA, but said the DA was the "better devil" and it would vote with the DA in Gauteng metros.
"We will vote for the opposition, but we are not in bed with the DA."
Malema also said he would not enter into a coalition with the African National Congress because it did not meet its laundry list of conditions, which included the removal of President Jacob Zuma, the amendment of the Constitution and free education.
Additional reporting by Rahima Essop
