Who is pf party president

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The president of the PF (Patriotic Front) party is Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who served as the 6th President of Zambia from 2015 to 2021. He was elected as PF president in 2015 following the death of Michael Sata and led the party to victory in the 2016 general elections. Lungu's presidency ended in 2021 when he lost to Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development.

Key Facts

Edgar Lungu became PF president in 2015 after Michael Sata's death
Lungu served as Zambia's president from 2015 to 2021
PF was founded in 2001 by Michael Sata
PF won 2011 elections with Michael Sata as presidential candidate
PF lost power in 2021 elections to UPND

Overview

The Patriotic Front (PF) is a major political party in Zambia, founded in 2001 by Michael Sata after he broke away from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). The party emerged as a populist movement advocating for pro-poor policies and challenging the established political order. Initially operating as an opposition party, PF gained significant traction in urban areas, particularly Lusaka and the Copperbelt region, where it capitalized on growing discontent with economic policies.

The PF's rise to power began with its victory in the 2011 general elections when Michael Sata defeated incumbent President Rupiah Banda. This marked a significant political shift in Zambia, ending 20 years of MMD rule. The party's platform emphasized anti-corruption measures, infrastructure development, and improved social services. Following Sata's death in 2014, the party experienced internal leadership struggles before Edgar Lungu emerged as the new leader and presidential candidate.

How It Works

The PF operates through a structured organizational framework with elected leadership positions and party organs at national, provincial, district, and constituency levels.

Leadership Structure: The party president serves as the highest authority, supported by a vice president, secretary-general, and national chairperson. Edgar Lungu assumed the presidency in 2015 through a special general conference following Michael Sata's death, winning with 1,663 votes against rival Miles Sampa's 625 votes.
Decision-Making Process: Major decisions are made through the Central Committee, which consists of 26 members elected at party conventions. The party holds national conferences every five years to elect leadership and determine policy direction. During Lungu's tenure, the PF expanded its membership to approximately 1.5 million registered members by 2020.
Electoral Strategy: The PF traditionally focused on urban constituencies and working-class voters, winning 80 out of 156 parliamentary seats in the 2016 elections. The party's campaign machinery relies heavily on grassroots mobilization and traditional leadership structures, with significant investment in voter education and registration drives.
Policy Implementation: While in government from 2011 to 2021, the PF implemented several major initiatives including the Link Zambia 8000 road project, increased mining royalties from 6% to 20%, and expansion of social cash transfer programs benefiting over 700,000 households by 2020.

Key Comparisons

Feature	PF Under Michael Sata (2001-2014)	PF Under Edgar Lungu (2015-2021)
Leadership Style	Charismatic, confrontational approach	More institutional, legalistic approach
Economic Policy	Populist rhetoric, mining sector reforms	Infrastructure focus, increased borrowing
Electoral Performance	Won 2011 election with 43% vote share	Won 2016 election with 50.35% vote share
International Relations	Strained relations with Western donors	Improved relations with China, $6 billion in loans
Party Membership	Approximately 800,000 members in 2014	Approximately 1.5 million members in 2020

Why It Matters

Political Stability: The PF's leadership transition in 2015 marked Zambia's first peaceful transfer of power following a president's death in office, setting an important precedent for constitutional continuity. The party governed during a period when Zambia's debt grew from $4.8 billion in 2011 to $12 billion in 2021.
Economic Impact: PF policies significantly influenced Zambia's development trajectory, with infrastructure spending reaching 8.5% of GDP by 2018. The party's mining sector reforms generated additional revenue but also created investor uncertainty, contributing to copper production fluctuations between 700,000 and 850,000 metric tons annually.
Democratic Development: The PF's time in power tested Zambia's democratic institutions, with the 2016 and 2021 elections both experiencing legal challenges but ultimately upholding electoral outcomes. The party's loss in 2021 marked Zambia's third peaceful transfer of power since multiparty democracy was restored in 1991.

The PF's future direction will significantly influence Zambia's political landscape as the party rebuilds following its 2021 electoral defeat. With Edgar Lungu remaining as party president despite losing the presidency, the PF faces challenges in redefining its platform and addressing internal divisions. The party's ability to adapt to changing voter demographics and economic realities will determine whether it can regain power in future elections, particularly as Zambia faces economic challenges including high inflation and debt restructuring negotiations with international creditors. The PF's continued presence as a major opposition force ensures competitive politics in Zambia's evolving democracy.