Challenges and Instability in Coalition Governments: A Closer Look
Explore the challenges and instability faced by coalition governments since 2021, with key observations revealing impacts on municipal governance, services, and community well-being. The lack of institutionalization and defined rules pose significant obstacles in coalition governance and decision-making processes.
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COALITION GOVERNMENTS: PROPOSALS TOWARDS POLITICAL STABILITY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OPN COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE & TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS AND E- GOVERNANCE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS ON COALITITION GOVERNMENT : 20 JULY 2023 www.salga.org.za
COALITION GOVERNMENTS SINCE 2000 COALITIONS FROM 2000 2021 ELECTIONS PROVINCES 2006 2011 2016 2000 2021 EC 39 FS 23 GP 11 LP 27 1 - 2 - 1 - - - - - - - 1 1 4 2 4 5 10 2 KZN - 54 MP 20 NC 31 NW 22 WC - 30 Totals 10 - 2 - 14 29 9 - - - 21 31 20 - 5 - 12 37 7 - 3 1 8 25 3 11 4 18 81 27 2
HIGH LEVEL STATE OF COALITIONS 2021 Coalitions COALITIONS FROM 2000 2021 ELECTIONS PROVINCES Stable Coalitions 3 4 4 1 Unstable Coalitions 1 1 6 1 2006 2011 2016 2000 2021 EC 39 FS 23 GP 11 LP 27 1 - 2 - 1 - - - - - - - 1 1 4 2 4 5 10 2 KZN - 54 MP 20 NC 31 NW 22 WC - 30 Totals 10 - 2 - 14 29 9 - - - 21 31 20 - 5 - 12 37 7 - 3 1 8 25 3 11 4 18 81 17 3 0 4 14 50 8 0 11 0 4 31 27 3
Key observations on Coalition Governments since 2021 Elections Except for Cape Town and Buffalo City Metros, 6 of 8 Metros are governed through coalition governments (5 of 6 already experienced collapse in coalitions); Unstable coalitions: - Less than a year since elections - 12 municipalities have experienced changes in the coalition governments (many more under threat of change in the short term); Instability in coalitions have a severe impact as it compromise the municipality s ability to adopt policies and by-laws, make senior management appointments, or even adopt a budget; Coalition instability ultimately compromises the municipal administration s ability to deliver services to local communities; Coalitions put strain on the planning and legislative compliance; Local communities continue to bear the brunt of unstable coalition politics. 4 www.salga.org.za
Problem Statement with Coalition Governments coalition governments have not become institutionalised; there are no rules in the Constitution or in legislation that define the principles, rules, procedures or sanctions that will apply to the political parties (and independent councillors) that attempt to govern together; There are no guidelines to follow when they enter coalition talks to establish a coalition government; and Coalition agreements - are often vague; often do not translate into a programme for the incoming government; are usually not tailored to the needs of that municipality and its community; are often subsequently undermined by coalition parties in practice; and are not public. 5 www.salga.org.za
Coalition Governments: The SALGA Response 1. There is a need for a framework that can guide political parties and independent councillors on the formation and sustainability of coalitions; 2. Key focus of a coalitions framework is to:- Resolve challenges of instability; and Encourage cooperation in coalitions. 3. SALGA developed a guiding Framework for tabling to political parties. The Guidelines deal with two crucial stages of coalition governments:- i. Coalition formation stage - What happens after a council is declared hung? ii. Coalition governance stage - What is needed to promote stability during the life-cycle of the coalition? NOTE: Coalition Framework to be applicable to hung councils after a general election, a by-election or where an existing coalition collapses. 6 www.salga.org.za
SALGA PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS COALITIONS GOVERNMENT WEAKNESSES Reviewing Section 12 Establishment Notices of Municipalities Voluntary Adoption of Framework Regulatory Framework Immediate Short to Medium Long Term 7
Coalition Formation National and Regional Matters in a Local Coalition Agreement? Who may initiate coalition negotiations? Negotiating Staff Appointments or Procurement decisions Formulating Joint Policy Positions Distribution of Political Positions How should the negotiation process be structured? Risks of bare majority coalitions Internal Party Consultation Visibility of Coalition Partners in Policy Programme Transparency in the first round Compensating King Makers Agree to disagree in a coalition agreement? Developing Policy Programme Local Input into the Negotiations Seeking the Technical Advice 9 www.salga.org.za
Coalition Governance Role of the Whip of Council and Party Whips The Coalition Agreement Conflict and Dispute Resolution Legal Enforcement of Coalition Agreements Oversight within the Coalition Coalition Caucus Implementation of the Coalition Agreement Making Coalition Agreement Public 10 www.salga.org.za
REVIEWING SECTION 12 MUNICIPAL ESTABLISHMENT NOTICES 11
REVIEWING SECTION 12 NOTICE WHAT IS A SECTION 12 NOTICE ESTABLISHMENT NOTICE ? The MEC for LG in the province, by notice in the Provincial Gazette, must establish a municipality in each municipal area; The Notice establishing the municipality must set out:- a) Category of municipality (Metro, district or local); b) Type of municipality (Collective or Mayoral Executive System); c) Boundaries; d) Name; e) Number of wards; f) Number of councillors 12
REVIEWING SECTION 12 NOTICE HOW MAY A SECTION 12 NOTICE BE AMENDED? The MEC for LG in the province, by notice in the Provincial Gazette, may amend a Section 12 Notice: a) To change a municipality from its existing type to another type from Collective to Mayoral Executive System or vice versa; b) To give effect to Boundary changes; c) To alter the Name; d) To alter the Number of wards; e) To alter the Number of councillors 13
MEC LED PROCESS OF REVIEWING SECTION 12 NOTICE Before publishing the amendment notice consult - SALGA in the province & Municipalities affected by the amendment Give written notice to SALGA in the province and the municipality affected After consultation publish particulars of the proposed notice for comment 14
MEC INTENTIONS TO REVIEW SECTION 12 NOTICE Before publishing the amendment notice consult - SALGA in the province & Municipalities affected by the amendment Give written notice to SALGA in the province and the municipality affected After consultation publish particulars of the proposed notice for comment To change the municipality s existing type to another type from Mayoral to Collective Executive System 15
TYPES OF MUNICIPALITIES UNPACKING KEY DIFFERENCES MAYORAL EXECUTIVE SYSTEM COLLECTIVE EXECUTIVE SYSTEM MAYOR Mayor is elected from amongst the EXCO members; limited individual executive functions - executed jointly with Executive Committee; EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EXCO) no more than 10 members, proportionally representing political parties; Mayor is a member of EXCO, EXCO members are appointed by EXCO as Chairpersons of Section 80 Committees; each party determines their members of EXCO. REPORTING EXCO receives reports from Section 80 Committees and forward these reports together with its recommendations to the council when it cannot dispose of the matter in terms of its delegated powers EXECUTIVE MAYOR (EM) is elected by Council from amongst ALL councillors; has full executive and delegated functions, executed with support of the Mayoral Committee MAYORAL COMMITTEE (MAYCO) members appointed by the EM; EM also appoints MAYCO members as Chairpersons of Section 80 Committees; ONLY EM removes members of MAYCO REPORTING EM receive reports from Section 80 committees and forward these reports together with recommendations to the council when the matter cannot be disposed of by the EM in terms of the delegated powers 16
Example of Collective Executive System The case of all KZN Municipalities: All KZN municipalities have collective executive system the key objective, at its introduction, was to have a collective (more inclusive) power-sharing model; Still has a clear separation between the Legislative and Oversight function of Council and the Executive role of the Executive Committee; Executive Committee composition allowing all major parties, based on their share of votes, to participate and contribute in the Executive; Less executive authority in the position of Mayor but more authority in the Executive Committee; and Collective Executive System enhances stability and sustainability of coalition government creates structured arrangements to implement, monitor and review the Coalition Agreement. 17 www.salga.org.za
Key Considerations in Amending to Collective Executive Systems Would require reconfiguration of internal governance arrangements:- Executive Mayoral position will seize to exist; Mayoral Committee will be disestablished; Must appoint the members of the EXCO; Elect new Mayor from amongst the EXCO; EXCO would be required to appoint from amongst themselves heads of portfolios. Standing Rules and Orders would have to be amended; Delegations of Authority would have to be amended. 18 www.salga.org.za
INTRODUCE A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK 19 www.salga.org.za
Key Considerations for Legislative Framework Amending municipalities with hung councils, where relevant, from Mayoral Executive System to Collective Executive System; Limit the regularity of Motions of No Confidence to force focus on functionality of council and service delivery; Formation of Coalitions Party with highest number of seats to be given first preference to form a coalition, with clear time frames; Party with highest number of seats be given first preference for the appointment of Mayor (as appointed from the EXCO). Opportunities for electoral reform (threshold of full-time vs part-time nature of councillors); Reforms within the administration (professionalisation). 20 www.salga.org.za
Thank You www.salga.org.za
