Malawi: Peter Mutharika reclaims the presidency after a decisive victory
Peter Mutharika was elected president of Malawi after winning a majority of the votes in last week’s elections.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 28, 2019 Malawi’s President elect Arthur Peter Mutharika is sworn in for his second term by Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda (L) and Registrar of the high Court and Supreme court of appeal Agnes Patemba (R) at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre after a contentious election marred by allegations of fraud and vote-rigging. – Malawi’s constitutional court on February 3, 2020 has cancelled presidential vote result. (Photo by AMOS GUMULIRA / AFP)
The electoral commission announced that the former head of state had received 56.8% of the vote, thus confirming his victory over incumbent president Lazarus Chakwera, who acknowledged his defeat even before the official results were declared.
Five years after leaving power, Mutharika is preparing to lead the country again. In a televised address, Lazarus Chakwera praised the work of the electoral commission and asked that the irregularities reported in certain constituencies be examined fully and transparently. He nevertheless acknowledged that his rival’s lead was insurmountable, paving the way for a peaceful transfer of power.
Preliminary figures had already shown a comfortable lead for Mutharika, with more than 60% of the vote compared with about one-third for Chakwera. The official confirmation puts his share at 56.8%, while the incumbent receives 33% of the votes cast on September 16.
A 70-year-old evangelical pastor, Lazarus Chakwera came to power after the annulment of the 2019 elections. His term was marked by significant economic difficulties, with more than 70% of the population living on less than two dollars a day, a factor that probably influenced voters’ choice.
The new president, faced with a delicate economic situation, will have to quickly revive the national economy, which is marked by inflation above 30%, fuel shortages and record public debt. Reviving agriculture and ensuring food security are also among his priorities. According to political scientist Boniface Dulani, this victory reflects more a rebuke of Chakwera’s term than mass support for Mutharika.
The spokesperson of the Parti progressiste démocrate, Shadrick Namalomba, believes the outgoing government failed in managing the economy and tackling corruption, and considers that Peter Mutharika will have to restore stability and promote a zero-tolerance policy towards corrupt practices.