Malawi has returned former president Peter Mutharika to power in a decisive election victory that underscored deep public frustration with the country’s economic trajectory under Lazarus Chakwera. The 85-year-old leader, who previously governed from 2014 to 2020, secured roughly 56 to 57 percent of the vote in the September 16, 2025 poll, enough to win outright in the first round, as confirmed by the Malawi Electoral Commission.
Chakwera, who captured about a third of the ballots, conceded before results were formally announced, calling the outcome a reflection of the people’s will and pledging a peaceful handover. His concession speech drew attention for its emphasis on national unity and democratic stability, even as his presidency closed under the weight of mounting economic discontent.
The election was widely regarded as a referendum on Chakwera’s stewardship of the economy. Over the past five years, Malawi has endured punishing inflation above 20 percent, persistent foreign exchange shortages, erratic fuel supplies, and widespread food insecurity. Natural disasters, including prolonged droughts and a devastating cyclone, further deepened the hardships. International reports from Al Jazeera highlighted the extent of the economic downturn and its role in shaping voter sentiment.
Observers noted that the scale of Mutharika’s victory reflected less an overwhelming surge in personal popularity than a protest against Chakwera’s perceived inability to stabilise the economy. Political analyst Boniface Dulani remarked that the result carried the weight of a rejection, stating that many voters viewed it as a response to the rising cost of living and lack of progress under Chakwera’s leadership.
For Mutharika, the task ahead is formidable. Expectations are high for him to stabilize prices, restore currency reserves, and tackle food and fuel shortages that have left millions struggling below the poverty line. As highlighted by The Print, the former president returns to office at a critical juncture, when confidence at home and abroad depends on whether his administration can offer not just nostalgia for stability but a concrete plan to move Malawi forward.
