By Juliet Mulonga The UPND walkout from a crucial parliamentary debate on the cost of living crisis has triggered widespread criticism. This decision, which led to the collapse of the quorum, has fueled concerns about the government’s commitment to tackling Zambia’s economic hardships. To make matters worse, the Ministry of Finance later announced that Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane would address the issue on an online platform instead. Many see this move as an attempt to evade public scrutiny and accountability. Parliament is the cornerstone of democracy and the primary arena for debating and formulating policy solutions. Given Zambia’s rising cost of living, a parliamentary discussion was essential to explore practical strategies for economic relief. However, UPND MPs and ministers chose to abandon this responsibility, instead opting for an online discussion a
