7th Parliament: ANC NEC meets, parties eagerly await as moment of truth nears
Eyewitness News understands some of the proposals the ANC must deliberate on include fielding at least fielding between 8 and 9 Democratic Alliance ministers.
The Cape Town International Convention Centre. Picture: CTICC website
CAPE TOWN - As the country edges closer to the first sitting of the 7th Parliament, political parties who have been locked in coalition talks are reporting back to their various structures on Thursday.
This ahead of Friday's sitting where speakers of the National Assembly and various legislatures, along with the president and premiers are due to be elected.
The ANC's highest decision-making body, the National Executive Committee is meeting in Cape Town.
Parties that have been in talks with the ANC will be eagerly awaiting the outcomes of Thursday's NEC meeting.
Eyewitness News understands some of the proposals the ANC must deliberate on include fielding at least fielding between 8 and 9 Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers, the sharing of committees in parliament, and deciding on which party should field the next Speaker of Parliament.
However, there has been some push back within the ANC on its decision to work with the DA, which saw it introducing the idea of a Government of National Unity.
Speculation is rife that some ANC members will also reject the idea of a DA speaker, which might open the door to a smaller party being offered that post.
While uncertainty looms large, Eyewitness News understands that parties will rely on broad trade-offs in the election of presiding officers and the president come Friday.