This paper assesses the extent to which key political ideologies, alliances and individuals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have changed in the run up to the scheduled elections on 23 December 2018. It argues that despite major shifts, including the possible ending of Kabila’s presidency and the death of opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi, there are important continuities in Congolese politics. This high level of continuity is embodied by Antoine Gizenga, the 92 year-old Secretary-General of the United Lumumbist Party (PALU), who has stated that he wishes to run for the Presidency. If he is selected as the candidate of the Alliance of the Presidential Majority, and if he won, the DRC would have the same parties in power before as after any scheduled election. If Gizenga died before completing his five year term, Joseph Kabila could even return as President. More than just individual continuities, the DRC’s longstanding aversion to populist candidates, which looks set to continue in 2018, is a marked difference to much of the rest of world that has seen a rise of populists. Most of those who will seek power in 2018 are seasoned politicians even if they have had other professional pursuits.