Zimbabwe’s government of national unity has improved the economic situation but the political climate remains harsh, with a rise in partisan violence, mostly by supporters of ZANU-PF (the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), against their partners in government, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Many question the independence of institutions vital to free and fair elections, including the electoral commission and the judiciary and the security forces, seen as staunch ZANU-PF allies. Authorities use repressive laws to silence journalists, human rights defenders, civil society and political opposition.