Official name

Republic of Zambia

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on the 1996 constitution

National legislature

National Assembly; 150 members elected by universal suffrage, serving a five-year term; the president can appoint eight further members

National elections

Last presidential election on October 30th 2008, necessitated by the death of the incumbent, Levy Mwanawasa; last legislative election on September 28th 2006; next presidential and legislative elections due in mid-2011

Head of state

President, elected by universal suffrage for a term of five years; the current president will serve the remainder of Mr Mwanawasa's term

National government

The president and his appointed cabinet

Main political parties

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) is the ruling party and holds a parliamentary majority; the largest opposition party is the Patriotic Front (PF); other parties in the National Assembly include the United Party for National Development (UPND), the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the United Liberal Party and the National Democratic Focus

President: Rupiah Banda

Vice-president & justice minister: George Kunda

Key ministers

Agriculture & co-operatives: Estarckio Kazonga

Commerce, trade & industry: Felix Mutati

Defence: Kalombo Mwansa

Education: Dora Siliya

Energy & water development: Kenneth Konga

Environment, natural resources & tourism: Catherine Namugala

Finance & national planning: Situmbeko Musokotwane

Foreign affairs: Kabinga Pande

Gender: Sara Sayifwanda

Health: Kapembwa Simbao

Home affairs: Mukondu Lungu

Information & broadcasting: Ronnie Shikapwasha

Labour & social security: Austin Liato

Lands: Gladys Nundwe

Livestock & fisheries: Bradford Machila

Local government & housing: Brian Chituwo

Mines & minerals development: Maxwell Mwale

Parliamentary chief whip: Vernon Mwaanga

Science & technology: Peter Daka

Sport, youth & child development: Kenneth Chipungu

Transport & communications: Geoffrey Lungwangwa

Works & supply: Gabriel Namulambe

Central bank governor

Caleb Fundanga