The ruling ZANU-PF retained its majority in both chambers of parliament in the first election after the resignation of long-serving President Robert Mugabe in November 2017 (see note 1). His successor, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa (ZANU-PF) narrowly defeated MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa (see note 2) in a presidential poll. The MDC Alliance, which became the second largest force in both chambers of parliament, filed a court case for alleged voting irregularities. On 24 August, the Supreme Court upheld the election results, paving the way for Mr. Mnangagwa to be sworn in.

During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the economy. ZANU-PF promised to open up the country for business, promote investment, create jobs and fight corruption. The MDC Alliance promised economic emancipation of the people and the creation of a “socially just, democratic, transformative state”.

Note 1:
Mr. Mugabe, 93, who had ruled the country as its President since since 1987, resigned shortly after Parliament started an impeachment procedure against him on 21 November 2017. The move followed the President’s dismissal of the then Vice President Mnangagwa. The military subsequently placed Mr. Mugabe under house arrest. ZANU-PF then appointed Mr. Mnangagwa as its interim president at a special committee meeting in which Mr. Mugabe was fired and his wife Grace was expelled from ZANU-PF for life.

Note 2:
The MDC Alliance, formed in August 2017, comprises the following seven political parties: Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T), Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Zimbabwe People First, Transform Zimbabwe, Multi-Racial Christian Democracy (MCD) and Zanu Ndonga. Mr. Chamisa succeeded the long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who passed away in February 2018.