South African president survives no-confidence vote

South Africa’s parliament on Tuesday voted by secret ballot against a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. This is the eighth time Zuma has survived an attempt to unseat him. Forty-six percent of lawmakers voted in favor of the no-confidence motion with 177 votes, while 51 percent voted against the motion—a vote of 177-198, with nine abstentions. The motion needed at least 201 votes to succeed. Zuma’s ruling African National Congress party currently holds a majority in parliament, with 249 seats. The South African president has increasingly faced corruption allegations and accusations of mismanaging the economy. Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete on Monday took an unexpected move by allowing a secret ballot for the first time. South African leaders and opposition parties had hoped the move would encourage members of the ruling party to vote against Zuma.