Did budget kill the GNU?

'Party incorrectly used it as a bargaining chip for other demands.'

- Liesl Peyper

The narrow adoption of the fiscal framework in the National Assembly on Wednesday has demonstrated to the ANC that it can govern from a minority position...and without the support of the DA.

During a four-hour sitting of the National Assembly, the fiscal framework was passed with 194 votes in favour, supported by the ANC, ActionSA, IFP and Rise Mzansi, among others.

The DA, which is the second-biggest party in the government of national unity (GNU), along with the MK and EFF, was among the parties who brought out 182 votes against the adoption of the fiscal framework.

The fiscal framework needs to be adopted before any other budget-related legislation can be considered by parliament.

The DA's opposition to the fiscal framework – and in effect the 2025 budget – casts a shadow over its future involvement in the GNU, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana asserting during his speech on Wednesday that the party cannot vote against the fiscal framework and still be partly responsible for implementing it.