The politics of Zambia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the president of Zambia is head of state, head of government and leader of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Formerly Northern Rhodesia, Zambia became a republic immediately upon attaining independence in October 1964.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) is a prominent political party in Zambia, founded in December 1998 by Anderson Mazoka, a former executive of the Anglo American Corporation. The party emerged as a significant opposition force following a split from the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD). The UPND positions itself as a centrist party with strong ideological commitments to social and economic liberalism, advocating for policies that support free-market principles, human rights, and democratic governance.
The Patriotic Front (PF) is a political party in Zambia, founded in 2001 by Michael Sata. It emerged as a breakaway party from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) after Sata was not selected as the MMD's presidential candidate for the 2001 elections. The PF is primarily supported by the youth and the urban poor, and it gained significant political influence over time.
Austin Chisangu Liato is a Zambian politician. He served as a member of the National Assembly for Kaoma Central between 2002 and 2011 and as Minister of Labour and Social Security from 2008 until 2011.
The vice-president of Zambia is the second highest position in the executive branch of the Republic of Zambia. The vice-president was previously appointed by the president before the amendment of the Constitution in 2016. Under the amended Constitution, when the president dies, resigns or is removed from office, the vice-president automatically assumes the presidency, unlike when the Constitution demanded holding of presidential by-election within 90 days. This is so because now every presidential candidate shall pick a vice-presidential running mate and the two will share the vote meaning voting for a president is an automatic vote for the vice-president.
Presidential elections were held in Zambia on 30 October 2008 following the death of the incumbent President Levy Mwanawasa on 19 August 2008, as the elections had to be called within 90 days of his death. It was expected that there would be internal problems within the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) as Mwanawasa had not declared a successor prior to his death, but Acting President Rupiah Banda was selected as the MMD's candidate without apparent problems. Michael Sata stood as the candidate of the Patriotic Front (PF), while Hakainde Hichilema stood as the candidate of the United Party for National Development (UPND). Godfrey Miyanda stood as the candidate of the Heritage Party.
Presidential elections were held in Zambia on 20 January 2015 to elect a president to serve the remainder of the term of President Michael Sata, following his death on 28 October 2014.
General elections were held in Zambia on 11 August 2016 to elect the President and National Assembly. A constitutional referendum was held alongside the elections, with proposals to amend the bill of rights and Article 79.
Miles Bwalya Sampa is a Zambian politician, currently serving as Member of Parliament for Matero Constituency and president of the Patriotic Front. The veteran politician previously served as Mayor of Lusaka, having been elected in August 2018. His election in 2021 would see him return to Parliament representing Matero Constituency, a position he served from 2011 to 2016.
Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba is a Zambian businessman and politician who served as Member of Parliament for Kasama Central from 2009 to 2016. He later served as Vice President of the United Party for National Development. Under the Patriotic Front government of President Michael Sata, he served as Minister of Defence from 2011 to 2013.
Andrew Ndanga Kamanga is a Zambian football administrator and current president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). Previously, he was the chairman of Kabwe Warriors F.C. and was elected president during the 2016 FAZ Annual General Meeting replacing Kalusha Bwalya on 19 March 2016.
Felix Chipota Mutati is a Zambian politician and leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party. Mutati did not run for a Member of Parliament seat in the 2021 Zambian general election and received a nominated seat by the president. As a nominated Member of Parliament, he was appointed Minister of Technology and Science on 17 September 2021 by the ruling Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
Freedoms of expression and of the press are constitutionally guaranteed in Zambia, but the government frequently restricts these rights in practice. Although the ruling Patriotic Front has pledged to free state-owned media—consisting of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and the widely circulated Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia—from government editorial control, these outlets have generally continued to report along pro-government lines. Many journalists reportedly practice self-censorship since most government newspapers do have prepublication review. The ZNBC dominates the broadcast media, though several private stations have the capacity to reach large portions of the population.
Highvie Hambulo Hamududu is a Zambian politician. He served as Member of the National Assembly for Bweengwa between 2006 and 2016.
Chipepo Peter Friday Malwa is a Zambian politician. He served as Member of the National Assembly for Kapiri Mposhi from 2006 until 2011.
Sydney Mushanga is a Zambian politician. He currently serves as Member of the National Assembly for Bwacha.
Mutinta Buumba Mazoka M'membe is a Zambian newspaper owner and politician. She owns the independent publication The Mast.
Sarah Sayifwanda was a Zambian politician who served as Minister of Gender and Development, Minister of Transport and Communication and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. She was also the Zambian representative to the African Union and Pan-African Parliament.
Golden Mwila is a Zambian Politician and Member of Parliament for Mufulira. He was elected to Parliament at the 2021 Zambian general election.
The UPND Alliance is a political coalition in Zambia, formed in 2021 to consolidate opposition parties ahead of the general elections. Led by the United Party for National Development (UPND), the alliance includes key members such as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD). The coalition was created to unify opposition forces against the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), aiming to address Zambia's political and economic challenges.
