Zambia’s Patriotic Front faces major election test

Significance

The country’s economy has been in decline for some time, and the government is increasingly plagued by corruption scandals.

Impacts

• A contested election will likely further undermine the increasingly fraught relationship between Zambia and international donors.
• New government borrowing to fund populist policies will further complicate economic reform prospects.
• The replacement of recently deceased Chief Justice Irene Mambilima may become politicised given the courts’ role in resolving poll disputes.