Former Malawi President Mutharika to Run Again in 2025: Vows to Fix Economy

Former Malawian President Peter Mutharika, now 84, has been endorsed by the Democratic Progress Party as their presidential candidate for the 2025 elections. He pledges to rejuvenate the fragile economy. President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party will be seeking a second term. An alliance with the United Transformation Movement is yet to be confirmed.

Malawi's Democratic Progress Party has endorsed former President Peter Mutharika, 84, as its candidate for the 2025 presidential election. Mutharika, who ruled from 2014 to 2020, vows to fix the economy during his acceptance speech, citing issues like foreign currency shortages, fuel scarcity, and a lack of medicines. He will run against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party, who seeks a second term.

Addressing his party's convention in Blantyre, Mutharika stated, "We come from a background of winning from the opposition. We will do the same next year. We are coming to fix the economy." Known for infrastructure improvements and curbing inflation during his previous term, Mutharika faces allegations of corruption and cronyism, which he denies.

Current President Chakwera, 69, initially promised to combat corruption and boost economic growth, but critics argue he has fallen short as the country's economy remains fragile. Mutharika aims to form an opposition alliance with the United Transformation Movement, a party founded by the late Vice President Saulos Chilima. While UTM helped Chakwera defeat Mutharika in 2020, they plan to exit the ruling alliance following Chilima's death. A potential alliance with Mutharika's party could significantly alter the 2025 race, though UTM has not yet confirmed this partnership.

(With inputs from agencies.)