Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has gained his party’s backing to seek a second term in next year’s election, but his chances of holding onto power may hinge on the Malawi Congress Party securing a strong alliance partner.
Since the United Transformation Movement (UTM) announced its withdrawal from their electoral alliance following the death of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash in June, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) now finds itself without a strong ally. The two parties have been in an alliance since 2020.
Following the death of UTM leader Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash in June, the MCP lost a key ally.
Chilima’s party was instrumental in helping Chakwera secure an absolute majority in the 2020 election, which requires over 50% of the vote to win.
At a convention endorsing his second-term bid, Chakwera expressed optimism about his party’s growing support since the last election.
“This is no ordinary convention; it is the convention of the party that will win in 2025,” Chakwera stated in his Thursday address.
“We are gaining strength daily as new members join from other parties, as the MCP’s founding families stay loyal, and as former members return, “Chakwera stated.
The MCP, established by Malawi’s first president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, returned to power in 2020 after 26 years in opposition, promising to tackle corruption and boost the economy.
However, opposition parties argue that the MCP has not fulfilled its promises, with the economy continuing to struggle.
Former President Peter Mutharika is set to be Chakwera’s main challenger, with expectations that he will gain endorsement from the Democratic Progress Party at its convention later this month.
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