ANC yet to consult coalition partners on expanding GNU

JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said that the African National Congress was yet to consult coalition partners about its intention to expand the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Last week, the ANC announced plans to broaden the coalition, saying there’s growing interest from some opposition parties to join the unity government.

While Steenhuisen is opposed to this decision, he also said that coalition partners deserved to know if there were plans to include other parties.

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The DA leader said that that if the ANC believed that expanding the GNU would resolve its current internal issues, it needed to think again.

"I think we should rather focus on improving the relations amongst parties within the GNU, particularly on how you find ways to deal with consult management and dispute resolution management."

He added that if the ANC intended to broaden the GNU, the very least it should do is consult its coalition partners.

"We have not been consulted or spoken to about expanding the GNU. When that discussion comes, we will have these discussions and express these views. I know that these views are also shared by other partners in the GNU who are concerned about the expansion of the GNU."

The ANC, meanwhile, said there appeared to be interest from opposition parties that backed the budget in joining the GNU.