Patriotic Front 2025 Convention
| Patriotic Front Presidential Convention 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Political Party | Patriotic Front |
| Date(s) | November 2025 |
| Location | To be determined (TBD) |
| Purpose | Election of the Substantive Party President and Presidential Candidate for the 2026 General Elections |
| Delegates | To be determined (TBD) |
| Previous Convention | To be determined (TBD) |
| Next Convention | To be determined (TBD) |
The Patriotic Front (PF) 2025 Presidential Convention is an internal electoral event scheduled for November 2025, intended to elect the substantive party president and identify the party's presidential candidate for the 2026 Zambian general elections. The convention is considered a critical political moment for the PF, following the death of former President Edgar Lungu in June 2025, which necessitated the formalisation of new leadership. The process is being conducted as part of the party's internal democratic mandate.
Context and Succession
The need for a substantive party president arose after the death of the former Head of State and PF leader, Edgar Lungu, in June 2025. Prior to the convention, the party's affairs were managed by the acting Patriotic Front President, Given Lubinda. The electoral process, including the convention, is viewed as essential for unifying the party and establishing a clear platform to compete effectively in the upcoming 2026 general elections. The party aims for a transparent and disciplined electoral process.
Aspiring Candidates
Several high-profile members of the Patriotic Front officially filed their nominations to contest the party presidency at the convention. Each aspiring candidate was required to pay a nomination fee of **K200,000** and received approval from the party structures to participate in the contest.
Confirmed candidates for the PF presidency include:
- Given Lubinda: The acting PF President.
- Makebi Zulu: A prominent Lusaka-based lawyer.
- Brian Mundubile: A key figure within the party's parliamentary and political ranks.
- Other unnamed candidates also successfully filed their nominations.
The contest is anticipated to be tightly fought, reflecting the internal dynamics and struggle for control over the party's future direction.
Broader Political Implications
The outcome of the convention is expected to finalise the party's internal affairs, specifically by establishing its presidential candidate for the 2026 elections.
The Tonse Alliance, a political coalition that includes the Patriotic Front, has publicly acknowledged and supported the PF's democratic process. The alliance has urged its other constituent members to maintain neutrality throughout the election, stressing the paramount importance of unity regardless of which candidate ultimately emerges as the winner of the PF presidency.
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