By Phenyo Selinda
In a discussion hosted by the National School of Government (NSG), former advisor to coalition governments in Ireland, Fergus Finlay, emphasized the pivotal role of trust and relationships in the success of coalition governments. Speaking at a webinar titled “Making Coalitions and Governments of National Unity Work: The Role of Professional Bureaucracies,” Finlay underscored the importance of mutual respect and the acceptance that compromises are inevitable in coalition settings.
Key Insights From the Webinar
Finlay, known for his extensive experience with coalition governments, pointed out that establishing trust and maintaining solid relationships is crucial. “The key thing about coalitions is relationships, acceptance that you not going to get everything you want in a coalition, [and] acceptance that even if you don’t get everything you want, you are going to respect the bottom line,” he stated.
The webinar brought together experts from South Africa and abroad to dissect the potential impact of Government of National Unity (GNU) and similar power-sharing arrangements on public administration and governance systems. With South Africa’s local government system already familiar with coalition arrangements, the forum aimed to extract valuable lessons from international experiences.
Lessons From Abroad
Jan Cornillie, former Chief of Cabinet for various Belgian Ministers, including the Vice Prime Minister from Belgium— a country well-acquainted with coalition governments—shared invaluable insights from his experiences. He revealed that the longest coalition negotiation in Belgium lasted a staggering 514 days. Cornillie stressed the need for detailed pre-government discussions and the institutionalisation of compromises, highlighting that “pacification is in itself a key to coalition outcome.”
Cornillie further articulated the importance of an overarching narrative in which governing parties can find common ground and the necessity of involving national expert bodies and trusted political advisors to facilitate a smooth coalition process.
Overcoming Challenges
Professor Andrea Lippi from the University of Florence and National School of Administration (SNA) in Italy, dissected the complex nature of coalition governments. He shared how Italy has navigated these complexities, achieving a transformation of the Cabinet and professionalisation of civil servants towards a strategic policymaking role. Lippi pointed out the growing relevance of informal relationships, networking, and multilevel governance in achieving coalition success.
The Italian experience underscores a significant shift towards evidence-based policymaking, policy evaluation, and participatory procedures, essential for modern governance.
The Role of Professional Bureaucracies
Nthabiseng Tlhomola, Director-General of the Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management Administration, highlighted the necessity of professional public officers remaining apolitical. Reflecting on Lesotho’s first coalition government formed after the 2012 general elections, Tlhomola underscored that despite the country’s political parties having similar manifestos focused on infrastructure, job creation, and economic growth, it’s crucial for public officers to adapt and maintain continuity in government operations.
“We are now more than 10 years [into] a coalition government; we therefore have a story to tell,” Tlhomola said, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of Lesotho’s governance system.
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