Opposition Parties

S.Africa’s new centre-right government promises unity, action

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's new coalition government heralds a pragmatic centre-right shift as opposition parties take control of more than a third of ministries, bringing hope for better governance but also cohesion fears. The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the advent of democracy in 1994, keeps 20 of the 32 cabinet positions, including foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice and police. The historied party […]

1 July, 2024 23

South Africa

ANC set to lose majority after watershed vote

By Umberto BACCHI with Zama LUTHULI in Durban South Africa's ruling ANC was on course to lose its 30-year-old unchallenged majority on Thursday after voters queued long into the night to cast their ballots, preliminary results and projections showed. With a fifth of votes tallied, the ANC was leading but with a score of 44 percent -- well down on the 57 percent it […]

30 May, 2024 40

South Africa

Over 26 million South Africans get a social grant. Fear of losing the payment used to be a reason to vote for the ANC, but no longer – study

By Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg and Yolanda Sadie, University of Johannesburg Social grants to reduce poverty feature prominently in the campaign promises of political parties in South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial general elections, set for 29 May. The country’s social grants system is one of the largest in Africa in terms of number of beneficiaries. Research shows that this has helped reduce poverty. […]

15 May, 2024 22

Opinion Pieces

South African elections: research explores how disillusioned ANC supporters might use their vote

By Michael Braun, University of the Witwatersrand The African National Congress (ANC) has been in power since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. The party has been electorally dominant since then, reaching a peak of 69.7% of national votes in 2004. However, support for the party has declined sharply since the 2014 national and provincial elections, reaching a low of 57.5% in 2019. Negative attitudes […]

7 May, 2024 41

Africa

Opposition accuses Togo government of extending President’s rule

Tensions have risen in Togo as parliamentary and regional elections are underway amid controversy over a new constitution extending President Faure Gnassingbé's term. The BBC reports that opposition parties have accused the government of using the reform to extend Gnassingbé's family's 57-year rule, allowing him to potentially stay in power until 2031.

29 April, 2024 26

Africa

Tanzanians go to the polls in 2025: President Samia has changed the landscape, but Magufuli’s legacy persists

By Nicodemus Minde, United States International University It’s been three years since the death of Tanzania’s president John Magufuli and the rise to power of current president Samia Suluhu Hassan. Magufuli was Tanzania’s fifth president. He came to power in 2015 and was re-elected in 2020 in a poll that was marred by controversy. Magufuli brought lasting changes to Tanzania’s political landscape during his six-year tenure. His […]

16 April, 2024 20

World

South Korea exit polls show opposition parties increase majority

South Koreans are heading to the polls to elect a new parliament. Experts consider the election to be a litmus test on the leadership of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Al Jazeera reports that the main opposition Democratic Party and its affiliated parties are expected to strengthen their control by securing around 197 seats in the 300-seat single-chamber legislature, according to a collective exit poll conducted by three prominent TV networks. […]

10 April, 2024 55

World

South Sudan opposition protests party registration fee hike

South Sudanese opposition parties protested Monday at an "exorbitant" $50,000 fee to register ahead of the fragile country's first ever elections, branding it a slap in the face for democracy. The world's youngest nation is due to go to the polls by the end of the year under a 2018 peace deal, although the United Nations and others say key obstacles still need to be overcome if they […]

25 March, 2024 32

Business / Economics

Narendra Modi’s economy isn’t booming for India’s unemployed youth. So, why is his party favoured to win another election?

By Ian Hall, Griffith University India will soon hold the biggest election ever conducted, starting on April 19 and running through early June. Almost 950 million registered voters will be able to cast ballots to elect the 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. The result is not a foregone conclusion, but most analysts expect Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to win another […]

18 March, 2024 14