MCP provides leader of opposition, appoints Lowe: Kawale becomes Chief Whip

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has elected Lilongwe Central member of Parliament (MP) Lobin Lowe as an interim leader of opposition.

Parliamentary Standing Orders indicate that the opposition party with the highest number of MPs that the one in power contributes a leader of opposition. MCP won 55 seats in the 193-seat Parliament while Democratic Progressive Party (DPP0 managed 62.

MCP was supposed to name leader of opposition at the start of the first meeting of the 48th Session of Parliament but refused as they said they do not recognise President Peter Mutharika as legitimate winner of the presidential election.

The party, whose leader Lazarus Chakwera, is challenging presidential elections results in court, has not been in the House since it opened and could not take the position as that would be seen as accepting the President amid a court challenge

Lowe’s appointment as interim leader of opposition was announced by First Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo.

“I would like to announce that the leadership of MCP has provided leaders of the House as follows: Interim leader of opposition Lobin Lowe, interim party chief whip Sam Kawale (Dowa North East) and deputy chief whip is Khumbize Chiponda [Kasungu South East].”

Lowe is described by legislators as a level-headed and sober minded leader who has the respect of the whole House; government and opposition.

He also served as interim leader of opposition from February to May this year after Chakwera resigned from his position in order to pave way for his submission of presidential nomination papers to contest as the party’s torchbearer in the May 21 elections.