19/08/2026
There is something particularly rewarding about watching an idea come full circle.
In 2023, I wrote an article asking: “Should Thresholds Be Introduced to Bring Stability to Coalition Governments?” At the time, it was a contribution to an emerging debate about the growing reality of coalition government in South Africa — and what we could learn from countries with far longer experience of governing through coalitions.
Today, I found myself sitting in a room with lawmakers, political leaders, practitioners and academics discussing those very questions: coalition frameworks, electoral thresholds, governance arrangements and the proposed legislative framework for governing coalitions.
What made the conversation particularly enriching was being able to move beyond theory and draw lessons from the experiences of countries such as Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands — some of the international experiences that informed my thinking when I first wrote about this subject. The discussions reinforced something important for me: there is no single legislative mechanism that will create stable coalitions. Thresholds, formal coalition agreements, rules governing motions of no confidence and clearer frameworks may provide structure, but ultimately stable coalition government also requires political maturity, institutional strength, accountability and a genuine willingness to govern in the public interest.
It was a refreshing and enlightening dialogue, and perhaps a reminder that the questions we raise today can become the policy conversations of tomorrow.
And, of course, it doesn't hurt that EMCA was partnering with ACCORD in convening and contributing to these important discussions. Seeing our two organisations alongside each other on the programme was a particularly proud moment.
From writing about the question to sitting at the table where the frameworks and possible answers are being debated.
Full circle indeed.
My original article: Should Thresholds Be Introduced To Bring Stability To Coalition Governments | Election Management Consulting Agency of Africa https://share.google/VNRK9fcTdUn9zmyyh