Peter Mutharika returns as Malawi's leader after President Lazarus Chakwera admitted defeat following the September 16 vote. The 85-year-old former law professor earned degrees from Yale and the University of London before spending decades in America. Voters recalled his previous presidency from 2014 to 2020, when inflation remained below 10 percent, in contrast to the recent 33 percent rate under Chakwera. His Democratic Progressive Party promised proven leadership to fix economic problems plaguing the 21-million-person nation. Campaign events often proceeded without Mutharika's physical presence due to his advanced age.
The constitutional law expert helped draft Malawi's first democratic constitution in 1994, following the fall of dictator Hastings Banda from power. His brother Bingu served as president until his death in office in 2012. Mutharika faced treason accusations over allegedly concealing his brother's death, but charges disappeared when he won the 2014 election. Political analysts describe him as distant and indecisive despite his legal expertise and economic management skills.
The constitutional law expert helped draft Malawi's first democratic constitution in 1994, following the fall of dictator Hastings Banda from power. His brother Bingu served as president until his death in office in 2012. Mutharika faced treason accusations over allegedly concealing his brother's death, but charges disappeared when he won the 2014 election. Political analysts describe him as distant and indecisive despite his legal expertise and economic management skills.
