Malawi President Chakwera secures party support for second term

(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 03, 2020 Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera (L), who is the 2nd petitioner in the Malawi Elecions Case, waits to be screened by security at the Lilongwe High Court, where constitutional court judges will preside over the ruling on whether to annul the controversial vote that saw Malawi President Peter Mutharika re-elected in the May 2019 election, in Lilongwe. – Lazarus Chakwera told AFP in an interview that the annulation of the May 2019 vote vindicated their long held suspicion that elections in the country of 18 million people, had for decades not been free and fair. (Photo by AMOS GUMULIRA / AFP) (Photo by AMOS GUMULIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has secured his party’s backing to run for a second term in the upcoming election.

However, his success may hinge on the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) forming a strong alliance partner.

The MCP’s previous electoral ally, the United Transformation Movement (UTM), is withdrawing from the partnership.

This decision follows the death of UTM leader Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash last June.

Chilima’s UTM had been crucial in securing Chakwera’s absolute majority in the 2020 election.

Malawi’s political system mandates that a presidential candidate must secure over 50% of the votes to win.

At a recent MCP convention, Chakwera expressed confidence in his party’s growing support.

He stated that this convention is pivotal for winning the 2025 elections and highlighted the increasing strength of the MCP.

The MCP, which had promised to tackle corruption and boost the economy, returned to power in 2020 after 26 years in opposition.

Critics argue that the MCP has not fulfilled its promises, and Chakwera faces competition from former President Peter Mutharika.

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