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Cyril Ramaphosa attends the oath of office ceremony for his second term as South African President at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, 19 June 2024.
South Africa gets a new cabinet
President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled South Africa’s new cabinet on Sunday, ushering in a new era of coalition governance for the Rainbow Nation. The move comes after the African National Congress lost its majority for the first time in 30 years in the May election, forcing Ramphosa’s party to enter a coalition government with its historic rival, the white-majority Democratic Alliance.
Ramaphosa announced that 32 positions were awarded across seven parties. The ANC retains the majority of seats, with 20, and has kept key ministries, including finance, foreign affairs (crucial in allowing continuity in their pro-Palestinian agenda and ICJ case), trade, and defense. The DA, after demanding 11 slots, was only assigned six, including key ministries like education and infrastructure, and DA leader John Steenhuisen was appointed agriculture minister. The remainder were divided among smaller parties.
Absent, but not silent. The uMkhonto weSizwe party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, came in third in the election but refused to join the coalition. The party has since found its voice as the outspoken leader of the Parliament’s opposition alliance.
Tensions remain high. The ANC has been systematically trying to dilute the DA’s influence by expanding the governing coalition to include 10 opposition parties, assigning them minimal portfolios. The difficult negotiations signaled converging economic policies, particularly on health care and Black economic empowerment, as well as deep distrust, with Ramaphosa accusing the DA of attempting to form a “parallel government.”
Will they play nice? As seen by the weeks of deadlocked cabinet negotiations, the parties still struggle to set aside decades of animosity, which could lead to instability, but the ANC and DA – at least for now – are committed to working together. We’ll be watching to see whether the coalition is stable enough to survive Zuma’s dedicated political instigation.
Jokowi may announce Cabinet reshuffle this week
Indonesian President Joko Widodo is expected to announce as early as this week a much-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle to replace underperforming ministers, including two ministers recently arrested for corruption, and maybe Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto.
Indonesian President Joko may reshuffle Cabinet as early as next week: Sources
He is expected to replace underperforming ministers, including Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto and two ministers recently arrested for corruption.
Thai Finance Minister Predee Daochai submits resignation: Govt sources
BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand's recently appointed Finance Minister Predee Daochai has submitted his resignation, but the prime minister has not yet accepted it, two government sources said on Tuesday (Sept 1).
Modi's cabinet of old hands and heavyweight newcomers must perform
NEW DELHI - Bouyed by a thumping win at the recent general election, India's prime minister Narendra Modi has a chosen a new cabinet comprising of experienced hands and heavyweight newcomers leading analysts to conclude that his focus will be on performance.
India's new home minister Amit Shah: Modi's enforcer emerges from behind throne
NEW DELHI (AFP) - As the battle-hardened drill sergeant for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Amit Shah has long been considered India's second most-powerful person, and his appointment on Friday (May 31) as home minister elevates his position to leader-in-waiting.
India gets first woman finance minister in years to spur economy
NEW DELHI (BLOOMBERG) - Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed India's first woman finance minister in almost five decades to steer the economy through a rocky patch of weak growth and mounting global risks.
Prabowo says he has picked 'the best' for his Cabinet
Indonesian presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto yesterday told a rally that he has picked the "best and the brightest" for his Cabinet if he wins next Wednesday's election.