In a dramatic turn of events, Malawi’s political landscape has shifted once again as former president Peter Mutharika, now 85, secured a decisive victory in the country’s presidential election held on September 16, 2025. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced on September 24 that Mutharika clinched over 56 percent of the valid votes—nearly 3.04 million ballots—comfortably surpassing the 50-percent-plus-one threshold required for an outright win. His main rival, incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, garnered just 33 percent, or roughly 1.77 million votes, in a contest that featured a crowded field of 17 candidates.
Chakwera, 70, conceded defeat in a televised address even before the final tally was made public. "It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the Constitution," he stated, according to Reuters. He added, "It was clear that my rival Peter Mutharika has an insurmountable lead over me." Chakwera expressed his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power, telling Malawians, "In the days that remain, I want you to know that I am committed to a peaceful transfer of power." He also called Mutharika directly to congratulate him, wishing him well in his upcoming tenure as the seventh president of Malawi.
This election marks the fourth showdown between the two political heavyweights, with Mutharika now claiming victory in three of those contests. Their rivalry has defined Malawi’s recent political history, with each man having both unseated and been unseated by the other. The 2019 election, initially won by Mutharika, was famously annulled by Malawi’s constitutional court due to widespread irregularities—most notably, the use of correction fluid to alter results sheets. In the rerun the following year, Chakwera emerged victorious, a moment widely hailed as a democratic breakthrough for the country.
The 2025 election unfolded against a backdrop of severe economic turmoil. As reported by BBC News and Al Jazeera, Malawi’s economy has been battered by soaring inflation—officially close to 30 percent, with some estimates placing it even higher—and persistent shortages of fuel and foreign currency. Daily life for many Malawians has grown increasingly difficult, with the price of basic goods like maize and fertilizer skyrocketing. The World Bank estimates that nearly three-quarters of Malawians live below the $3-a-day poverty line, and about half the population does not receive adequate nutrition.
Chakwera’s presidency, which began in 2020 after his victory in the rerun election, was marked by these economic challenges. Critics accused his administration of mismanagement and indecisiveness, while his allies pointed to external factors such as drought, natural disasters, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine as key reasons for the country’s woes. Despite promising to tackle corruption, Chakwera was dogged by accusations of slow and selective prosecution of graft cases.
For many voters, these hardships proved decisive. Political analyst Wonderful Mkhuche described the election as a "protest vote," telling a local TV program, "Mostly, the vote that the DPP has gotten is a protest vote: People voted for the DPP because the MCP failed to deliver on its promises." Boniface Dulani, a politics expert at the University of Malawi, echoed this sentiment in Reuters, saying, "This election result is less about Mutharika, but more of a protest vote against Chakwera, especially in regards to his government’s handling of the economy."
Turnout was high, with about 76 percent of registered voters casting ballots, reflecting the urgency and frustration felt across the nation. Security was tight in the capital, Lilongwe, ahead of the result announcement, with armed police patrolling the streets and banks closed as a precaution against potential unrest. Yet, following Chakwera’s concession, the mood shifted to celebration among Mutharika’s supporters, who took to the streets of Lilongwe singing, dancing, and chanting "adadi"—meaning "father" in Chichewa.
Mutharika, a Yale-educated former law professor, is no stranger to the presidency. He previously led Malawi from 2014 to 2020, a period during which he was credited with improving public infrastructure and lowering inflation. However, his tenure was not without controversy: allegations of cronyism and corruption dogged his administration, though he consistently denied any wrongdoing. His campaign this year leaned heavily on the promise of "a return to proven leadership," a message that resonated with voters weary of economic stagnation and political gridlock.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, questions remain about Mutharika’s ability to steer the country out of crisis, especially given his advanced age and speculation about his health. During the campaign, he was rarely seen in public, in stark contrast to Chakwera, who held numerous rallies across the country. Nevertheless, Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is already signaling a focus on economic recovery. Bertha Bangara Chikadza, president of the Economics Association of Malawi, told Reuters that stabilizing the economy by addressing foreign exchange shortages and persistently high inflation must be top priorities. "Doing this will automatically have a direct positive impact on social issues such as unemployment and poverty reduction," she said.
The MEC took the full eight days allowed by law to announce the results, citing the need to thoroughly check and address complaints. Chakwera and his party had sought a court injunction to block the release of the results pending resolution of reported irregularities, but the High Court dismissed the application, clearing the way for the official declaration. In his concession speech, Chakwera acknowledged concerns about "irregularities" and "anomalies" but ultimately accepted the outcome. "The anomalies do not necessarily mean that the election result projecting Professor Mutharika as the winner is not credible or a reflection of the will of the people," he said, according to BBC News.
Jane Ansah, former MEC chairperson, will join Mutharika as vice president, forming a leadership team tasked with guiding Malawi through what is arguably one of its most challenging periods since independence. The swearing-in ceremony must take place within seven to 30 days of the result announcement, setting the stage for a new chapter in Malawi’s political journey.
As Malawians look to the future, the pressure is on for Mutharika and his team to deliver on promises of stability and prosperity—a tall order in a nation where hope and hardship have long walked hand in hand.