The political framework of Namibia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

Acting President: Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: November 2029
National Assembly: November 2029

Main Political Parties

Namibia has a multi-party system. The main parties include:

• SWAPO (South West African People's Organisation): Centre-left (Governing party since the independence of Namibia)
• Independent Patriots for Change (IPC): Anti-corruption
• Landless People's Movement (LPM): Left-wing, social democracy
• Popular Democratic Movement (PDM): Centre-right
• Affirmative Repositioning (AR): left-wing to far-left, focused on land reform and youth empowerment
• United Democratic Front (UDF): Centre-left
• National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO): Centre-right
• All People's Party (APP): Centre-left
• Republican Party (RP): Conservatism
• Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF): Far-left, Pan-African
• Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP): Centre-left
• South West African National Union (SWANU): Social democracy.

Executive Power

Executive power is exercised by the government. The President of Namibia is both chief of state and head of the executive power. The president is elected in a national election every five years in which at least 50% of the votes are necessary to be elected. The Cabinet consists of the President, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers appointed by the President. The Prime Minister is the Chief Advisor to the President and the overall coordinator of the Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies.

Legislative Power

Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, which consists of two chambers: The National Assembly is the highest law-making body and is composed of 96 elected and 8 non-voting members appointed by the President. Members of the Assembly are elected every five years on a proportional representation system basis. The National Council is the upper chamber of Parliament and is formed of 42 representatives from all fourteen regions of Namibia (three elected members per region). Members of the National Council are indirectly elected within Regional Councils and serve a five-year term. The National Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly.