How are leaders chosen in Angola?

Angola uses a semi-presidential system of government, with the President of Angola serving as both head of state and head of government. Angola has a multi-party system, and the President is directly elected by the people for a five-year term. The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is the head of government and is responsible for appointing the members of the Council of Ministers, the executive branch of government.

Candidates for the presidency must be Angolan citizens by birth, at least 35 years old, and members of a political party or coalition. The candidate who wins the most votes in the first round of the election is elected President, but if no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first round, a second round is held between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first round.

In addition to the President, Angola also has a National Assembly, which is the unicameral legislature. The National Assembly is elected by the people for a four-year term, and its members are chosen through proportional representation. The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is the head of government and is responsible for appointing the members of the Council of Ministers, the executive branch of government.

The President and the National Assembly work together to create and pass laws, and the President can dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections. The President is also the commander-in-chief of the Angolan Armed Forces.

The current President of Angola is João Lourenço, who was elected in 2017. He is a member of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has been the ruling party of Angola since 1975.