Peter Mutharika secured victory in Malawi's presidential election with 57 percent of the votes cast on September 16. The electoral commission announced these results after the incumbent, Lazarus Chakwera, conceded defeat earlier that day. Chakwera received 33 percent of the ballots, while acknowledging that his opponent held an insurmountable advantage. Supporters of the 85-year-old Mutharika celebrated throughout the capital city streets. The Democratic Progressive Party leader returns to power after losing his previous term to Chakwera in 2020.
Economic troubles dominated voter concerns during the campaign period. Inflation reached 33 percent under Chakwera's administration while maize and fertilizer prices soared dramatically. Mutharika promised economic recovery and pledged to resolve foreign exchange shortages that limited fuel imports. Voters remembered better economic conditions during his presidency from 2014 to 2020, when inflation remained below 10 percent. Chakwera failed to deliver promised job creation and anti-corruption measures despite winning power as a charismatic former pastor.
Economic troubles dominated voter concerns during the campaign period. Inflation reached 33 percent under Chakwera's administration while maize and fertilizer prices soared dramatically. Mutharika promised economic recovery and pledged to resolve foreign exchange shortages that limited fuel imports. Voters remembered better economic conditions during his presidency from 2014 to 2020, when inflation remained below 10 percent. Chakwera failed to deliver promised job creation and anti-corruption measures despite winning power as a charismatic former pastor.
