Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi)

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a political party in Malawi. The party was formed in February 2005 by the then Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika after a dispute with his party the United Democratic Front (UDF), which was led by him in a 2004 general elections and chaired by his predecessor, Bakili Muluzi.

History

The DPP party is an offshoot of the United Democratic Front. The UDF was formed by Bingu wa Mutharika and Bakili Muluzi and came to power in 1994 under Muluzi. After Muluzi's two terms were over, Mutharika succeeded him as head of the party and nation. However, Muluzi remained involved in running the party; therefore Mutharika formed his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, in early 2005. Many UDF members defected to the new DPP party. The party and Mutharika won elections in 2009, and continued to rule the country.

Internal politics

In October 2008, the DPP's national governing council unanimously chose Mutharika as the party's candidate for the May 2009 presidential election.

Rise of the PP

Bingu wa Mutharika increasingly became controlling in the party. He began to groom his brother, Peter Mutharika, to be his successor. This led to a situation where he began to sideline his vice-president Joyce Banda due to her refusal to accept the move. Mutharika then kicked her out of the party. Therefore, the courts held that she was still the vice-president of the country even though she was not the vice-president of the party. Subsequently, Joyce Banda formed the People's Party. When Mutharika died in April 2012, Banda was still the vice-president and thus succeeded Mutharika as president, leaving the DPP under Peter Mutharika in opposition.

1 August 2011 DPP politburo

On 1 August 2011, Bingu wa Mutharika shuffled the leadership of the DPP. Bintony Kutsaira, who was secretary general of the party, was moved to the Office of the President and Cabinet and replaced by Wakuda Kamanga. Former finance minister Goodall Gondwe was named first vice-president, replacing Joyce Banda who was dismissed from the party in December 2010 for "anti-party activities". Following the death of President Mutharika, who was also party leader, the National Governing Council of the Party chose Peter Mutharika as the new Party President on 6 April 2012.

The new DPP politburo after the shuffle:

Regional Governors:
* North: Ancient Nkhata
* Centre: Kalanzi Mbewe
* East: Yusuf Yusweja
* South: Noel Masangwi

2021 appeal

In 2021 a five judge panel formed a constitutional court led by the new attorney general Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda. It was an unusual case as the Democratic Progressive Party were arguing that an election should be overturned because it had been overseen by members of the Malawi Election Commission who had been illegally appointed. The case was thrown out when it was pointed out that the illegal appointments had been made by the DPP. They were told that they were trying to benefit with this case from their own illegality.

DPP presidents

* Peter Mutharika 2014–2020
* Bingu wa Mutharika 2004–2012

DPP members

* Etta Banda
* Goodall Gondwe
* Catherine Hara
* Yunus Mussa
* Peter Mukhito
* Bingu wa Mutharika
* Uladi Mussa
* Kondwani Nakhumwa
* Yusuf Jonas

Electoral history

Presidential elections

National Assembly elections

All above results come from election reports on the Malawi Electoral Commission website.

References

External links

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Liberal parties in Africa
Political parties in Malawi
Political parties established in 2005
2005 establishments in Malawi