Government

Zimbabwe is a parliamentary democracy, governed according to the 1979 constitution as amended. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Assembly and the Senate, both of whose members serve five-year terms. The 150-seat assembly includes 120 members who are elected, 12 members appointed by the president, 8 provincial governors (who are also appointed by the president), and 10 members elected by local chiefs. The 66-seat senate, which was reestablished in 2005, has 50 elected members, 6 members appointed by the president, and 10 members elected by tribal chiefs. Executive power is exercised by the president, who is popularly elected to a six-year term and serves as both chief of state and head of government. Administratively, Zimbabwe is divided into eight provinces and two cities with the status of provinces.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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