Malawi's former President Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of last week's elections, marking a significant comeback for the 85-year-old leader. Official results reveal that he secured 57% of the vote, overshadowing the 33% garnered by President Lazarus Chakwera, who conceded defeat even before the final results were announced, congratulating Mutharika on his historic win.
Mutharika, a former law professor who held the presidency from 2014 to 2020, inherits a struggling economy plagued by a severe fuel and foreign currency shortage, amidst a staggering inflation rate close to 30%. The price of a frozen chicken has soared to about $20, a stark contrast to the daily earnings of many Malawians, which are around $2 or less.
The election results took the full legal eight days to declare, as the commission sought to verify facts and address complaints. Notably, the 2019 election won by Mutharika was annulled due to widespread irregularities, leading to Chakwera's victory in the subsequent rerun.
Despite the previous term’s challenges, Mutharika's campaign, emphasizing a 'return to proven leadership,' resonated with dissatisfied voters facing rising living costs and corruption under Chakwera's administration. His health remains a topic of speculation as he was less visible during the campaign compared to his opponent, raising questions about his ability to govern effectively at such an advanced age.
As celebrations erupted among Mutharika's supporters in Lilongwe following the announcement, motorists honked and revelers danced in the streets, chanting praises. However, the outcome primarily reflects public discontent with Chakwera rather than an outright endorsement of Mutharika. Whether he can revive Malawi's economy and combat inflation effectively again remains to be seen, but the pressure on him to deliver will be immense.
Mutharika, a former law professor who held the presidency from 2014 to 2020, inherits a struggling economy plagued by a severe fuel and foreign currency shortage, amidst a staggering inflation rate close to 30%. The price of a frozen chicken has soared to about $20, a stark contrast to the daily earnings of many Malawians, which are around $2 or less.
The election results took the full legal eight days to declare, as the commission sought to verify facts and address complaints. Notably, the 2019 election won by Mutharika was annulled due to widespread irregularities, leading to Chakwera's victory in the subsequent rerun.
Despite the previous term’s challenges, Mutharika's campaign, emphasizing a 'return to proven leadership,' resonated with dissatisfied voters facing rising living costs and corruption under Chakwera's administration. His health remains a topic of speculation as he was less visible during the campaign compared to his opponent, raising questions about his ability to govern effectively at such an advanced age.
As celebrations erupted among Mutharika's supporters in Lilongwe following the announcement, motorists honked and revelers danced in the streets, chanting praises. However, the outcome primarily reflects public discontent with Chakwera rather than an outright endorsement of Mutharika. Whether he can revive Malawi's economy and combat inflation effectively again remains to be seen, but the pressure on him to deliver will be immense.
