South African Parliament Set to Elect President Amid Coalition Tensions

South African lawmakers are to elect a new president on Friday after being sworn in during the first Parliament sitting post-elections. The African National Congress (ANC) faces challenges forming a unity government due to significant political divisions. The ANC garnered 40% of the vote, leading to coalition negotiations under tight constitutional deadlines.

South African lawmakers are slated to elect the country's president on Friday, amid rising coalition tensions. This follows their swearing-in at the first Parliament session, setting the stage for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to navigate a complex landscape after losing its majority for the first time since 1994.

In this first sitting of Parliament, lawmakers are also expected to elect new speakers, reflecting the intense negotiations that have been unfolding between the ANC and various opposition parties following the election results declared nearly two weeks ago. Parties have until Thursday to finalize these critical discussions, ensuring constitutional deadlines are met for electing the president within 14 days post-elections.

Despite winning 40% of the national vote, the ANC is compelled to form a national unity government, inclusive of most competing political groups, rather than limiting itself to a coalition of a few. However, preliminary talks have uncovered profound rifts among the political factions, with a significant number opting against joining the proposed unity government while others have agreed to participate.

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