The PF is primarily supported by the youth and the urban poor, and it gained significant political influence over time.

However, in the 2021 elections, the PF lost power to the United Party for National Development (UPND) led by Hakainde Hichilema.

In 2000, after Chiluba lost a bid to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term, Michael Sata thought he would be endorsed as the MMD presidential candidate.

[5] At the same time, notable figures like Christon Tembo, Godfrey Miyanda and Edith Nawakwi formed the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Party.

Sata was again the party's presidential candidate in the 2006 general elections, this time finishing second to Levy Patrick Mwanawasa with 29% of the vote.

In the lead up to the 2021 general election, Amnesty International publicly raised concerns about the violation of civil liberties, crackdowns on dissent and police killings while the party held political power.