Economic woes will undermine Zimbabwe's government

Significance

This comes in the run-up to the March 26 by-elections for 28 parliamentary seats and 105 local council positions, mainly in opposition strongholds, but also amid divisions within the opposition following the breakup of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

Impacts

• A broader crackdown on public dissent is likely to have a chilling effect on civic efforts at voter education.
• Pressure on the Zimbabwean dollar will present a further challenge for the government as the economic crisis deepens.
• Next month's elections will likely establish the dominance of Chamisa's CCC within the opposition.