Wait on formation of 7th administration leaves Parliament in holding pattern

CAPE TOWN - The wait for a government to be formed continues to leave Parliament in a holding pattern. 

It's running out of time to pass the national budget, but it can't configure committees and elect chairpersons to process the various budget votes until then. 

Committees largely mirror the makeup of the Cabinet. 

On Friday, the seventh administration held its first meeting to set out its work programme for the next month, but it's had to factor in the unknown. 

While the president and parliament have agreed on Mandela Day as the one on which he will deliver his opening address to both houses, the work of Parliament itself is stifled by the absence of a government. 

There's only a month left for parliament to pass the national budget. 

READ: No need for a debate into Ramaphosa's opening of Parliament, says NCOP

The national budget must be passed within four months of the start of the financial year.
  
Parliament has tentatively pencilled in next week Friday as the day on which committees will elect new chairpersons. 

While the African National Congress (ANC) previously chaired all portfolio committees, except the standing committee on public accounts, these seats are now potentially up for grabs by Government of National Unity (GNU) partners.

READ: Parliament lays ground rules ahead of much-anticipated 7th administration Cabinet announcement

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said the unknown could call for last-minute changes to the parliamentary programme. 

"Depending on when the decision is made to constitute government, we may require an urgent meeting of the rules subcommittee to look at the proposal for the portfolios committees," said Didiza.

On Tuesday, the house will meet as a collective for the first time since the elections.

However, the election of three house chairpersons will be impacted by progress in government negotiations.