DPP Selects Peter Mutharika for Malawi Presidential Run in 2025

Malawi's former president, Peter Mutharika, has been selected to lead the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the upcoming presidential election, marking a significant political comeback for the 84-year-old. Mutharika, who previously served as president for six years, had indicated he would not seek office again after losing to current President Lazarus Chakwera in a contentious 2020 election. This election was rerun following a Constitutional Court ruling that annulled the previous year's results due to widespread electoral fraud. The DPP has faced internal turmoil, resulting in the expulsion of several members who sought to challenge Mutharika's leadership. This internal strife has allowed Mutharika to reclaim the party presidency unopposed, culminating in a formal announcement of his candidacy. The upcoming election will see Mutharika and Chakwera face off for the third time, each having previously won and lost against one another. In his address to party supporters, Mutharika expressed his determination to regain power, criticizing the current government as "incompetent." While he enjoys strong backing from the DPP, some critics argue that the party should have chosen a younger leader to represent its interests in the election. Chakwera, who is 15 years younger than Mutharika, has faced challenges in fulfilling his campaign promises, attributing difficulties to the impacts of COVID-19, natural disasters, and the global economic downturn. Despite these challenges, Chakwera's administration has achieved some successes, including the reintroduction of train services and ongoing major road construction projects aimed at improving infrastructure in Malawi.