Political alliances and parliamentary opposition in post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract

South Africa's second democratic election in 1999 sparked a public debate on the necessity for a viable parliamentary opposition. This chapter deals with three research questions: First, is a parliamentary opposition necessary for the consolidation of democracy? Second, are existing opposition parties functioning in a way that increases their viability and facilitates the establishment of a democratic political order? Finally, if this is not the case, what are the obstacles to the emergence of a viable opposition in South Africa?