List of political parties in Malawi
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This article lists political parties in Malawi. Malawi has a multi-party system with over 40 registered political parties. The political process in Malawi is such that parties are voted into power. Parties participate in an electoral process. The parties with the most representation in the National Assembly are the People's Party (PP), Malawi Congress Party (MCP), United Democratic Front (UDF), and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The rise of multi-party rule in Malawi
The
Kamuzu Banda. When the NAC was banned it changed its name to the Malawi Congress Party
which led Malawi to independence and continued to rule from 1964 until 1994, under a one party state system. This system was challenged by political activists throughout the years, however Banda's dictatorship suppressed opposition, creating a culture of silence.
By 1992,
first multi-party elections were held in 1994. The MCP contested in these elections as well. The UDF under the charismatic Bakili Muluzi won these elections becoming the first party that was democratically voted into power in Malawi. Chihana's party came third, and he was awarded the position of second Vice-President.[3] However, Chihana has made his mark on Malawi's history and is known as the "father of democracy" in Malawi.[4][5]
Malawi had peacefully ushered in multi-party rule which continues until today.
Active parties
Parties with representation in parliament
Party | Abbr. | Leader | Political position | Ideology | MPs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Malawi Congress Party | MCP | Lazarus Chakwera | Centre-right | Anti-colonialism
Anti-communism |
59 / 193
| |
Democratic Progressive Party | DPP | Peter Mutharika | Centre | Anti-corruption Liberalism |
58 / 193
| |
United Democratic Front | UDF | Atupele Muluzi | Centre | Liberalism | 10 / 193
| |
United Transformation Movement | UTM | Saulos Chilima | Centre | Liberalism | 5 / 193
| |
People's Party | PP | Joyce Banda | Centre-right | Conservatism | 4 / 193
| |
Alliance for Democracy | AFORD | Chakufwa Chihana | Centre-left | Social democracy | 2 / 193
|
Other parties
- Mgwirizano Coalition
- National Democratic Alliance
- Umodzi Party (UP) - Founded in 2013 by John E Chisi
Table of political parties
Party coalitions
Coalition Name | Acronym | Coalition Parties | Year(s) | President | Vice-President | Party Colors | Slogan | Emblem | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mgwirizano Coalition | MC | MDP, MAFUNDE, MGDC, NUP, PPM, PETRA, RP | 2004 | P | VP | PC | S | E | Dissolved | |
Grand Coalition | GC | CODE, PP, PPM, PETRA, UDF | 2011–present | P | VP | PC | S | E | Active |
Party by year
- 2020 - present (MCP)
- 2014–2020 (DPP)
- 2012 - 2014 (PP)
- 2009 – 2012 (DPP)
- 1994 – 2009 (UDF)
- 1964 – 1994 (MCP)
See also
- Cabinet of Malawi
- Politics of Malawi
- Elections in Malawi
- List of political parties by country
References
- ^ a b c d Cordrey, James (13 June 1993). "Malawi Opposition Leader Tells of Years in Prison Chakufwa Chihana Thanked The Local Chapter of Amnesty International For His Release. - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com.
- ^ "Chakufwa Chihana, 67, Malawi Politician, Is Dead - The New York Times". The New York Times. Agence France-Presse. 15 June 2006.
- ^ Shola Adenekan (12 July 2006). "Obituary: Chakufwa Chihana | News". The Guardian.
- ^ "Welcome to nginx eaa1a9e1db47ffcca16305566a6efba4!185.15.56.1". fearlessgeneration.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Chakufwa Chihana Video | Interviews". Ovguide.com.