LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: ANC faces coalition scramble after electoral rout as control of key metros slips away
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With councils due to convene within 14 days, the ANC must choose between coalition deals, opposition and uneasy partnerships to retain municipal influence. The African National Congress (ANC) faces a difficult balancing act after suffering major losses in the 2026 local government elections: regrouping quickly to negotiate from a position of strength, while determining which parties to partner with to retain municipal influence. The party has been pushed out of the leading position in several key metropolitan councils, including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, where the Democratic Alliance (DA) has emerged as the leading party.