JOHANNESBURG - Voters have delivered their verdict at the polls, leaving political parties with the task of finding common ground and working together.
The clock will start ticking once the IEC declares the final election results, setting in motion the process of establishing new municipal administrations.
Coalition researcher Thembelani Mazibuko is urging political parties to use the time available effectively and find ways to fast-track negotiations.
READ: Elections 2026 | Parties urged to find common ground as coalition talks loom
“So from the day of declaring the election, parties have 14 days to elect a speaker. So within those 14 days, political parties need to then talk and engage in terms of forming coalitions within respective metros, as well as obviously districts and municipal councils," Mazibuko said.
"We have seen some reports from the ANC that coalition negotiations will be nationalised, will be centralised at the national level. That is yet to be confirmed, but that may be the most efficient way, given the number of councils that will likely be emanating from these election results.
"And of course, other political parties will talk, especially the big parties, with regard to how to get 50% plus one in their respective councils.”
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