Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi)

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

Democratic Progressive Party
AbbreviationDPP
President Peter Mutharika
Secretary-GeneralJean Kalilani
SpokespersonNicholas Dausi
FounderBingu wa Mutharika
FoundedFebruary 2005
Split fromUnited Democratic Front
HeadquartersLilongwe
IdeologyAnti-corruption[1] (self-proclaimed)
Liberalism[1] (self-proclaimed)
Political positionCentre
Big tent[2]
ColorsSky blue
SloganProsperity, Justice, Security
National Assembly
62 / 193
SADC PF
0 / 5
Pan-African Parliament
0 / 5
Website
www.dppmalawi.com

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.[3]

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:

Office1st2nd3rd
PresidentPeter Mutharika
Vice-PresidentGoodall Edward GondweYunus MussaJean Kalilani
Secretary GeneralJean Kalilani
Deputy Secretary GeneralIsaac NyakameraEtta BandaRalph Jooma
Treasurer GeneralSidik MiaBessie ChiramboLeckford Thotho
National Organising SecretaryFrancis MphepoCatherine HaraJohn Zingale
National Campaign DirectorKen Zikhale Ng'omaRashy GaffarAlice Lungu

Regional Governors:

  • North: Ancient Nkhata
  • Centre: Kalanzi Mbewe
  • East: Yusuf Yusweja
  • South: Noel Masangwi

DPP presidents

DPP members

Electoral history

Presidential elections
Election Party Candidate Votes % Result
2009 Bingu wa Mutharika 2,963,820 66.17% Elected Y
2014 Peter Mutharika 1,904,399 36.4% Elected Y
2019 1,940,709 38.57% Elected Y
2020 1,751,877 39.92% Lost N

National Assembly elections
Election Party leader Votes % Seats +/– Position
2009 Bingu wa Mutharika 1,739,202 39.99%
114 / 193
 114 1st
2014 Peter Mutharika 1,133,402 21.98%
51 / 193
 63 1st
2019 1,293,797 26.04%
62 / 193
 11 1st

All above results come from election reports on the Malawi Electoral Commission website.[6]

References
  1. http://www.sdnp.org.mw/Elections_2014/manifesto/DPP-Manifesto-2014.pdf
  2. http://www.partylaw.leidenuniv.nl/uploads/wp3313a.pdf
  3. "Malawi's Mutharika nominated for re-election" Archived 7 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine, AFP, 22 October 2008.
  4. "Lazarus Chakwera sworn in as Malawi president after historic win". BBC News. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  5. "Bingu wa Mutharika | president of Malaŵi". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  6. "Malawi Electoral Commission – MEC". Retrieved 31 October 2020.
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