Alec Hogg: Not quite done, but US voting may have provided perfect result

Alec Hogg shares his rational perspective on the nail biting US presidential elections that have captivated the world over the past 48 hours.
Published on

Sometimes things fall into place so perfectly they appear divinely designed. The 2020 US elections seem to be turning out that way. A bit like South Africa's first democratic election in 1994.

While lesser concerns now dominate our thoughts, we forget too easily how in 1994, SA's first democratic election delivered the perfect result – the ANC with 62.7%, a tad short of the two thirds majority required to change the Constitution; the potentially disruptive IFP enjoying a single seat majority in the KZN legislature; the National Party winning 82 seats and thus retaining a strong voice in Parliament. So perfect many cynics still claim it was stage managed.

It looks to be a similar result in the bastion of global democracy. Setting aside last minute twists, the US seems headed for a Joe Biden presidency (just), but with critical checks provided by the (unexpected) retention of Senate control by the Republicans. US voters re-iterated their point through the (unlikely) contraction of the Democratic Party's majority in the House of Representatives.

___STEADY_PAYWALL___

Loading content, please wait...

Related Stories

No stories found.
BizNews
www.biznews.com