Days before Parly vote, still no proposed budget deal between ANC, DA
It’s understood that some within the ANC rejected proposals put forward by the DA during a meeting on Friday.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the national budget for 2025 - weeks after it was postponed due to disagreements within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Picture credit: Phando Jikelo/Parliament
JOHANNESBURG - There’s still no deal between the two largest parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), with three days left before Parliament votes on the 2025 fiscal framework proposals.
The GNU partnership is likely to face its first hurdle on Tuesday when the finance committee meets to consider and adopt a report in preparation for Wednesday’s sitting.
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It’s understood that some within the African National Congress (ANC) rejected proposals put forward by the Democratic Alliance (DA) during a meeting on Friday.
The DA has been publicly rejecting the budget because of the 0.5% increase in value-added tax (VAT), but the ANC claims this is untrue, accusing its partner of making demands outside of the proposed budget.
While there’s a lot of noise on whether the GNU can survive the current impasse over the budget, insiders from the DA have told Eyewitness News that cool heads from both major parties in the GNU are talking things through.
A source close to the talks said the ANC’s initial rejection of DA documents and ideas came as a shock, insisting the blue party is reasonable and has tabled proposals that will lift the economy.
Meanwhile, there are different schools of thought in the ANC, with one telling Eyewitness News that a postponement is inevitable.
The ANC insider said the DA’s demands show it is setting the scene for a battleground and that it might be easier to cut ties now rather than later.
Some have also suggested the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), arguing that its leader, Julius Malema, has been humbled by experiences over the past year and might now be easier to work with.
The mad scramble is likely to continue until the very last minute when parties enter Parliament to vote on the 2025 budget on Wednesday.