President of Zambia
The President of Zambia is the head of state and head of government of Zambia the commander-in-chief of the Zambian Armed Forces. The president is largely responsible for dictating the legislative agenda of the party to which the president is a member. The president also directs the foreign and domestic policy of Zambia. The president is directly elected by the people through the presidential elections to a five-year term and is one of only two nationally elected into office, the other being the Vice President of Zambia. Only two vice presidents became president by virtue of a president's death in office.
| President of the Republic of Zambia | |
|---|---|
 Presidential Flag | |
| Status | Head of state Head of government |
| Term length | 5 years, renewable once |
| Inaugural holder | Kenneth Kaunda |
| Formation | 24 October 1964 |
| Deputy | Vice-President of Zambia |
| Salary | 63,100 USD annually[1] |
| Website | https://www.sh.gov.zm/ |
Hakainde Hichilema was declared president-elect on 16 August 2021. The next presidential election will be held in 2026.
Origin
The presidency was adopted after Zambia gained its independence in 1964.
Powers and duties
(1) The president performs the following powers and functions:
(a) Sign bills duly passes by parliament.
(b) Convey meetings with Cabinet
(c) Refer disputes of a constitutional nature between parties represented in Parliament or between organs of state at any level of government to the Constitutional Court.
(d) Confer honours.
(e) Appoint, accredit, receive and recognise ambassadors, diplomatic representatives and other diplomatic officials.
(f) Appoint commissions of inquiry.
(g) Negotiate and sign international agreements
(2) The president shall consult the Executive Deputy President.
(a) In development and execution of the policies of the international government.
(b) All matters relating to the management of the Cabinet and performance of Cabinet business.
The President is addressed as "Your Excellency" or "Mr/Madam President" and referred to as "The Honourable (name)".
Residence
State House in Lusaka serves as the official place of residence for the president.
Electoral system
Taking Oath
The President-elect will, before formally assuming office, make and subscribe an oath or solemn affirmation before the Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court.
Protection
A special team of officers from the Zambia Police are charged with protecting the sitting president and the first family. As part of their protection, presidents, first ladies, their children and other immediate family members, and other prominent persons.
Post-presidency
Timeline of presidents
United National Independence Party (UNIP)
Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD)
Patriotic Front (PF)
- Key
§ Elected unopposed
† Died in office
| № | Picture | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Took office | Left office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Kenneth Kaunda (1924–) |
1968 1973[§] 1978[§] 1983[§] 1988[§] |
24 October 1964 | 2 November 1991 | UNIP |
| 2 | 
|
Frederick Chiluba (1943–2011) |
1991 1996 |
2 November 1991 | 2 January 2002 | MMD |
| 3 | 
|
Levy Mwanawasa (1948–2008) |
2001 2006 |
2 January 2002 | 19 August 2008 (died in office) |
MMD |
| — | 
|
Rupiah Banda (1937–) Acting President[2] |
— | 29 June 2008 | 2 November 2008 | MMD |
| 4 | Rupiah Banda (1937–) |
2008 | 2 November 2008 | 23 September 2011 | ||
| 5 | 
|
Michael Sata (1937–2014) |
2011 | 23 September 2011 | 28 October 2014 (died in office) |
PF |
| — | 
|
Guy Scott (1944–) Acting President[3] |
— | 28 October 2014 | 25 January 2015 | PF |
| 6 | 
|
Edgar Lungu | 2015 | 25 January 2015 | Incumbent | PF |