Voters in Malawi have returned former president Peter Mutharika to power with a decisive mandate, ousting incumbent Lazarus Chakwera after a single term marked by severe economic hardship. The 85-year-old former leader secured 56.8% of the vote, a commanding margin that reflects widespread public dissatisfaction with the outgoing administration.
The election commission confirmed the results from the September 16th poll, showing a clear victory for Mutharika. Chakwera publicly conceded defeat, acknowledging the will of the electorate in a race that saw high voter participation.
This outcome marks the third consecutive presidential election in which Malawians have voted to change leadership. Mutharika previously lost the presidency to Chakwera in a controversial 2020 election that required a court-ordered re-run after evidence emerged of result tampering.
Analysts point to the country’s prolonged economic crisis as the primary driver behind the electoral shift. Malawi has struggled with inflation consistently exceeding 20%, critical shortages of essential imports including fuel and medicine, and economic growth that has failed to keep pace with population expansion.
The nation’s economic challenges have been compounded by severe climate events, including multiple cyclones and a devastating drought that have battered agricultural production. Simultaneously, reductions in international development assistance have further strained public finances, with one study estimating that cuts in U.S. aid alone could reduce Malawi’s GDP by a full percentage point.
Economic observers note that structural issues, including a persistent trade deficit and a significant disparity between official and parallel market exchange rates, present formidable obstacles for the incoming administration. Some experts question whether any government could rapidly reverse the country’s economic trajectory given the depth of these challenges.
The election result represents a dramatic political comeback for the former president, who now faces the task of stabilizing an economy that has deteriorated significantly since his previous term.
