Malawi’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has endorsed former President Peter Mutharika as its candidate for the 2025 presidential election. The decision was made during the party’s national convention in Blantyre on Sunday.
Mutharika, who served as president from 2014 to 2020, accepted the nomination by pledging to revive Malawi’s faltering economy. The 84-year-old former leader criticized the current administration for economic mismanagement, promising that his party would tackle issues like foreign currency shortages, which have led to fuel and medicine scarcities.
“We’ve won from the opposition before, and we will do it again. Our priority is fixing the economy,” Mutharika told supporters at the convention.
During his previous term, Mutharika oversaw infrastructure development and reduced inflation. However, his presidency was also marred by allegations of corruption and cronyism, charges he has repeatedly denied.
In the 2025 election, Mutharika is set to face incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party, who will be seeking a second term. Chakwera came to power with promises to fight corruption and boost economic growth, but his administration has faced criticism for failing to stabilize the economy.
Mutharika also announced plans to form an alliance with the United Transformation Movement (UTM), the party founded by the late Vice President Saulos Chilima. Chilima was instrumental in Chakwera’s 2020 victory, but after his death in a plane crash in June, the UTM has signaled its intention to leave the ruling coalition. The UTM has not yet confirmed an alliance with Mutharika’s DPP.
