Chakwera in talks with Chilima, Joyce Banda: Malawi opposition parties seek electoral alliance
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera is courting the UTM party led by Vice-president Saulos Chilima and the People’s Party (PP) of former president Joyce Banda to discuss a possible electoral alliance to fight May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections against President Peter Mutharika and his governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its ally United Democratic Front (UDF).
Mutharika, 78, is seeking a second and final term after winning the 2014 race against Banda, 68, whose PP is one of the opposition parties being courted by the leader of the opposition.
The test will be whether the alliance can agree on a single candidate before the watershed 2019 elections without splintering.
MCP spokesperson the Reverend Maurice Munthali confirmed that Chakwera has been having “discussions” with leaders of opposition parties including PP and UTM.
Munthali said the talks are yet to reach advanced stage.
“But, at this point, we cannot rule out a possible electoral partnership with one or both of these,” he said.
Munthali said MCP led by Chakwera stand for “national-building and not individualistic attitudes.”
MCP spokesman said the party will discuss the possible electoral partnership during its next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
PP spokesman Ackson Kalaile Banda confirmed talks of electoral alliance, saying there are other parties being persuaded to band together.
Kalaile said PP executive meeting will also discuss the matter.
He said their leader Banda is currently out of the country on a tour in Rwanda and Kenya and that as soon as she return, PP will “hit the ground”.
UTM spokesman Joseph Chidanti Malunga said their newly registered party is preparing a national convention and that a route map for 2019 election will be drawn, saying “electoral alliances are always possible.”
But not everyone is convinced. Rather than providing voters with a real choice of an alternative government and a force to be reckoned with at the elections, the proposed alliance is a last-ditch effort by parties and personalities who have been bit-part players to avoid political oblivion, said some analysts interviewed.
Mutharika’s presidency has seen the economy grow at a steady 5 to 6 percent a year, with inflation slowing down to single digits but has faced criticism for not doing more to tackle corruption.
A survey by the Institute of Public Opinion and Research (Ipor) conducted between August and September this year to assess the political environment in Malawi 10 months ahead of the May 2019 Tripartite Elections and give an understanding of the political and economic environment of the country has suggested Mutharika is ahead, although narrowly.
However, voting in Malawi in the past has tended to be driven by tribal loyalties rather than policy.
The Ipor survey shows the DPP is likely to win the 2019 elections with a stronger base in the populous Southern Region, followed by MCP in the Central Region and then UTM in the minority Northern Region.
Governance commentator Henry Chingaipe said the survey results were within the reasonable expectation of the electoral outcomes.
He said DPP has the advantage of incumbency while MCP is a serious contender but the margin between them was small and anything can happen in the next six months, depending on how parties will use these results to inform their electoral campaign strategies.
“The results give momentary relief to DPP that despite their integrity being spoiled too much and their performance being suboptimal, they still have an edge. Given recent political discourse, one would have expected the urban support for DPP to go down sharply,” he said in quotes reported by the press.
Chingaipe said UTM was a force to reckon with considering that they have been able to mobilise more support than UDF and PP.
The survey had a national representative final sample of 1 350 of eligible voters and was led by social and political scientists Blessings Chinsinga, Boniface Dulani, Joseph Chunga and Mwayi Masumbu.
The build-up to next year’s vote has already been marred by political violence perpetrated against the opposition and vote rigging fears following the missing of a biometric registration kit.
However, MEC Chairperson Jane Ansah said the missing equipment, which belonged to the National Registration Bureau (NRB) had no effect on the registration process and that there was no data loss.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
They have started jittering with the current survey. Interestingly the selfish greedy fools are in full support of the alliance. Malawians be more careful. Understand what you as a person want to achieve in life and study the characters of each leader and then make a sound decision. Enawatu are in full support of Chilima because akufuna azidzaphangira ndiye mudzalira.
This guy is now destroying the once mighty MCP for selfish reasons. Mind you if really their alliance works and by chance wins, with all the constitutional rights on the VP, I can see a troubled administration towards 2024 and use of juju to terminate some 1. These other guys are not trustworthy. If they will fail Chakwera will be finished.
Whether coalition or not. What’s important is to sell a good manifesto to Malawians and intensify campaign bearing in mind that its first past the post mode of winning.
As some are speculating that UTM is a DPP initiative to woe supporters from /weaken MCP, this might also be an MCPs’ vias versa plan to weaken UTM
My vote will depend on who I want to be my First Lady basi……… Sindinatchule dzina ndangonena maganizo anga
There is no workable alliance……… It’s every man for themselves, just work your talis off and whoever works hard will be the winner
Basi ……. Nkhani yatha!
Wow! I wonder if this will yield any fruits. Who will sacrifice to be the Vice in this alliance. MCP has more strength in the central therefore can bargain for the presidency, but Chilima will not allow to be Vice again as he want to be president . How will other positions be shared, I can see a dead end. Will utm supporters accept Joyce Banda to be running mate to Chilima? Will those who want to be running mate of Chilima agree, knowing their chances will be blown away.
Such an alliance will not be possible because all the leaders have bigger egos and on top of that no one will accept to be running mate because most of them have been frustrated or in case of Joyce Banda she was frustrated and she also frustrated Khumbo. A true alliance is not formed on the shifting sands of illusion and opportunism.
My advice to MCP is that this UTM ndi plan ya Peter and Saulos to disturb MCP. They new kuti they have lost grounds after by elections. Akutatsani nthawi kupereka mpati kwa Peter. Akupita UTM Wa anali a DPP nkale. Enafe we are the to MCP cause of mask mphenya anu. Take a serious research. Find the funding for UTM
A Kunkuyu mfundo zanu zopusa ziija mwabwera nazo Ku ma comment mu chigoba? Iwe ndiye Kaya basi?
DEAR OPPOSITION LEADERS — IF YOUR COMMON GOAL IS TO
RESCUE MOTHER MALAWI FROM THESE MONSTERS ( DPP FIELD MARSHALS ) PLEASE COME UP WITH A WORKABLE ALLIANCE —
BUT IF YOU HAVE SELFISH AGENDAS/AMBITIONS IN YOUR HEARTS — MALAWI WILL SUFFER LIKE NEVER BEFORE IN HUMAN HISTORY — PLEASE RESCUE MOTHER MALAWI FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED — GOD BLESS OUR LAND !
If this is indeed true then Malawians can only be winners. Malawi has the potential to achieve economic growth of around 10% pa consistently albeit a low base with inflation of well below 10%. The country has vast natural resources with abundant skilled labour though not exposed to technological advances. The country has the capacity to become a middle class sovereign with low Gene Index vs today’s Gene Index that’s the worst globally. Although the country GDP is growing at 5-6% with below 10% inflation; the people on the ground aren’t feeling it. It’s probably the top 100 richest who are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. To lift the country to of its quandary Malawi needs the coalition alliance as a first step. There will be effective checks and balances in parliament with no one character dominating the politics. At this stage we have too much vested in one man, Peter Mutharika. he has gotten so arrogant that he now thinks he is the life president. We had a life president before and look where it took us as a country and society. We are a bunch of cowards and completely disempowered because our genetic code is infiltrated with the fear the Kamuzu-MCP used to instil in all of us. Our youths are nowhere to be seen in politics and if active at all, have no position of their own. Our youths can’t even mobilise amongst themselves without seeking an elderly leader. It’s a shame really.
ARE YOU COMING FROM CLASS READING SOME FUNNY ECONOMIC THEORIES, MODELS AND FRAMEWORKS WHICH ONLY YOU AND A DRUNK YUSUF CHILIMA PHIRI CAN COMPREHEND?
You are a grown dude nowadays
So you people believe this story? The story was created in the newsroom. There’s no such a thing. Believe me. There’s no way such an alliance would be discussed. The three political groups are miles apart ideologically. Who do you think can lead such a coalition and do you really believe that Chilima can be running mate to Chakwera?
Please stop believing this lie.
The fact that MCP has first come out in the media with these secret discussions, that is the problem. They know that this will not work but they want to portray that them, they initiated unity but the others are greedy that’s the strategy here, trust me. Imagine Chilima is already the Vice president so shall he accept to be a runningmate for Chakwera will that make any sense? As for Joyce Banda I know that she is also busy trying to position her son for the future takeover of her party. This can only work if only Chakwera can accept to be the runningmate of Chilima of which MCP as well can not agree.
Ayamba kale kunjenjemela. Confusion in the philistines camp. Who will be your president and running mate? DPP woyee!
Ayamba kale kunjenjemera,so they no they cant defeat DPP ,KKKKKKKKKK Ana Achepa,wait for a big bang
So it is true Asing’anga aku Nigeria told Chilima after that trip that he wont win. Basi waganiza zogulisa UTM kwa tambala wakuda. I feel sorry for Sidik Mia, he was ready to be a running mate but with these coalitions its very unlikely that he will be a runningmate. Sidik Mia basi lekani ndale, 2014 same Chakwera anakugwirisa chiphwisi after 4 years wakugwirisanso chiphwisi china mayoo
The problem with this kind of people are ignorance, they have nothing to offer. U jst talking lyk mad man. If thise people are truly want to make alliance that will be a massive success and that can show maturity in potential sphere in malawi.
Ur grammar is typical of a mad person
Some of you Malawians are fool of shit and i don’t understand your comments,instead of support this idea of alliance you are busy with your negative thoughts.SHAME
If this happen MIA, MANGANYA Azatana. Okey this also happen when Tembo join forces with Muluzi in 2009 but failed . I remember when Tembo doing a rally with Muluzu in Mangochi said Muluzu anthu ngati awa sindinawonepo koma analuza .
DPP if MCP join hands with UTM Just take Mia back plus Muluzu you are back in action
The problem is that Chakwera, Saulosi and Joyce onse akufuna a U President. I dont see the alliance working. Recently Kunkuyu said UTM is a branch of DPP. How come the same MCP wants to join hands with UTM? Please ask Kunkuyu he will not subcscribe to this. Whatever the case, even if all opposition parties gang together against DPP, sangawine konse. Remember there was Mgrwirizano Coalation in 2009 led by Gwanda Chakuamba Phiri. It was a very strong force to reckon with but ended up losing the election to DPP . History will repeat itself in 2019 and all parties will be quite until 2024. Election marriages dont work in Malawi. They dont win an election. Lazaurs waona kuti payekha wagwa nayo kale game. Nayenso Saulosi akuiona game kuti its too hard for UTM to go it alone. Palibe chomwe angaphulepo. DPP is very strategic . Look !!! Zipani zayamba kale kuteketseka but DPP is quite.Tiyeni nazoni.
DPP is dead, dont let the bused in crowds fool you. APM is a very poor candidate and too dependent on the likes of Mchacha to campaign for him, when you add the scandals into that mix he makes a very poor candidate.
On the other hand UTM and Chilima are on the up and gaining support daily with a leader who is a trained and polished public communicator. If i were Chakwera i would be running mate to SKC and get into government with shared cabinet seats.
The other smaller players like PP are already headed to the UTM camp.
Mgwirizano did loose to DPP inu, please consult your source very well.
I mean it was not DPP but UDF
The Mgwirizano coalition did not succeed because it excluded NDA which was also a power to reckon with that time. If the coalition included NDA UDF would have been defeated. Osamanamiza wandu apa.
As a UTM Supporter i can only agree if Chilima will be President and Chakwera runningmate, afterall, Chakwera has no experience to run Govt and UTM has already eaten MCP support base in Lilongwe, Dedza, Salima and Nkhotakota as observed by Kunkuyu
experience yake iti a Chilima wo ya airtel money??? munthu oti anangomuika pa bench nde nkumati ali ndi experience?? MCP singapange mgwilizano ndi tizipani ting’onoting’ono including ka UTM, if anything let the small parties join MCP.
Only foolish supporters lyk u bro. Not real supporters which they regard malawi as their home. If u want to do alliance u gotta see which party has majority on the ground. Then the leader has to be the president of that joint. So go to hell if u don’t mind.
Za mgwirizano zizakuluzitsani, pitilizani mmene mukupangiramu.
Ar u afraid that you will lose again Ha ha ha so whose going to be your leader cause on your group everybody of u want to be a leader,we will see destruction after this coalition Mark my words
Kangandiwamba has alluded that DPP is as tall as mount Everest. But I hope MCP learned its lesson well. Remember what DPP did to you when you formed an alliance? Ndangopitamo sindinachole nkhwani
I have said this before and I am going to say this again, if opposition parties really care for the suffering of malawians, they should put their greed aside and UNITE TO REMOVE MBAVA FROM GOVT. AMALAWI UNITED WE SHALL STAND BUT IF OPPOSITION IS DIVIDED DPP WILL WIN AGAIN, THEN WHAT?????
You are talking sense,and this DPP can never rig the votes if the margin is too wide
DPP+UDF= Ukweche the other side
As long as DPP keeps Atupele & UDF on their side this alliance shouldn’t worry them. They might even see a return of many UTM and PP anti-MCP diehards especially the southerners. Just my opinion I don’t see Mia & Msowoya being party to the deal. And many biggies who will flop during the UTM’s convention will return to DPP.
Komano DPP how are the primaries going on? Kwangoti zii bwanji? Please don’t again try to impose candidates on your people they flop misearably just like it was in 2009 & 2014.
Whaw I see the end of the so called ‘ Lower Shire Giant, ‘
Politics at it’s best !!!
I think our political parties lack political ideologies. Why should winning elections be dependent on alliances of parties???
Joyce Banda, please spend more time in Malawi so we can vote for you and put you back into leadership. Come May 2019 Kenyans and Rwandese or other foreign countries you are spending your energy on won’t vote for you.
Dpp iyenda mbulanda ndithudi…anachipanti anyapaphi awa mbava zoopsya we just have gang up and fight the common enemy
Achakwera muthandizeni nyamata atenge boma
Mr Patrick Phiri, choti uziwe chakuti yinasakhika ndi anthu ochepa ndipo sanasakhe DPP. Ndikugwilizanazo mugwizalano
Wat do you mean hope why those less people don’t vote 4 your tambala okuda party kkkkk be a man
I thought the same MCP said Chilima hasn’t resign from Dpp now they down for an alliance ? I guess the public opinion polls has got to your head! UTM is a force to reckon with! But if you really want to get rid of Dpp then working together for a common goal is way to go just no power struggles. UTM dont rush once dpp has a presidential running mate there will be third division in dpp thus why APM is taking so long to announce might even be an outsider who knows. And MCP they slowly joining other parties…
Kuiopela patali DPP. Phatikizanani, ndipo adzakunyenyerani limodzi. DPP simasewera amwene.
DPP yatsala patinso??? kuzinamiza bwanji…
By just thinking of an alliance, thats a clear sign kuti DPP ndi akatundu. Ikunyenyaninyenyani ngati mu 2009. History will repeat itself. DPP moto kuti BUUUUUU!!!!
Ngati DPP yatha, bwanji mukuopa?
That’s very agreable, but lets discern who shall be our representatives. This could be the toughest task. Koma apumbwa adzipita
That’s the way to go. The leadership permutations can always be worked out and agreed upon. A Chakwera and Chilima ballot would be something the DPP cannot stand any chance at the polls
Kanganiwamba ukunamatu iwe. Ukuona ngati ndi simple arithmetic? Kuti chakwera and chilima votes will be added together?
UTM doesn’t need alliance. UTM should not engage itself in negotiations before it’s convention. MCP wants to disrupt UTM ahead of the convention. MCP is afraid of losing to UTM this time.
MCP knows it will lose but can’t imagine UTM being the winner.so they want to entice the likely winners with an alliance