The five parties which announced the coalition talks at a press conference held in Maseru, were: the All Basotho Convention (ABC), which was represented by its leader Thomas Thabane and party chairperson Molobeli Soulo; the Lesotho Congress for Democracy, represented by its chairperson Thabang Pheko; the Basotho National Party represented by its leader Thesele ‘Maseribane, the Popular Front for Democracy represented by its leader Lekhetho Rakuoane, and the Marematlou Freedom Party represented by its leader Moeketse Malebo.Thabane said: “We are opening negotiations on how we will work as a coalition. We believe that under these leaders, Basotho will have a democratic government.“We will be discussing the details of everything as we are of the same spirit that we should bring Basotho a parliament that will address their needs.”According to Thabane, the absence of the LCD leader Mothetjoa Metsing at the press briefing was insignificant as the party had still sent its senior members to the meeting.“This means we are singing the same tune,” Thabane said.MFP leader Malebo, on the other hand, said the negotiations are expected to have been completed within 15 days, beginning May 29. “We have 15 days to finalise the way we are going to work, starting from today,” said Malebo.Matla, on his part, said the Democratic Congress was the last political party they could form a coalition government with. “They took away our government; we cannot help them now that they are desperate for help. There is no more turning back”“There is no political party which can form a government on the basis of the polling results; there is a need to merge with other parties, in order to form a government.”‘Maseribane, in his address, said the matter needed to be treated with care and involve all the major key players. “We are going to involve lawyers in this issue to make comprehensive decisions that will benefit Basotho as a nation.”