President of Malawi

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President of the
Republic of Malawi
Mtsogoleri wa Dziko la Malawi (in Chichewa)
Flag of the President of Malawi.svg
Presidential Standard
Lazarus Chakwera Profile.png
Incumbent
Lazarus Chakwera

since 28 June 2020
Executive branch of the Malawian Government
StyleHis Excellency (formal)
Member ofCabinet
ResidenceState House, Lilongwe, Malawi
SeatCapital Hill, Lilongwe
Term lengthFive years, renewable once
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Malawi
Formation6 July 1966
First holderHastings Banda
DeputyVice President of Malawi
SalaryUS$ 74,300 annually

The president of the Republic of Malawi (Chichewa: Mtsogoleri wa Dziko la Malawi) is the head of state and head of government of Malawi. The president leads the executive branch of the Government of Malawi and is the commander-in-chief of the Malawian Defence Force.

Executive branch[]

Under the 1995 constitution, the president, who is both head of state and head of government, is chosen through universal direct suffrage every 5 years. Malawi has a vice president who is elected with the president. The president has the option of appointing a second vice president, who must be from a different party. It also includes a presidentially appointed cabinet. The members of the cabinet of Malawi can be drawn from either within or outside of the legislature.

The current President is Lazarus Chakwera sworn in as president of Malawi on 28th June 2020.

Origins of the Presidency[]

On 6 July 1964, Nyasaland became independent from British rule and renamed itself Malawi, with Elizabeth II as Queen of Malawi. Under a new constitution in 1966, Malawi became a republic with prime minister Hastings Banda becoming its first president. Under the country's 1966, 1994 and 1995 constitutions, the president is executive head of state and government. The first president was elected by the National Assembly, but later presidents were elected in direct popular elections for a five-year term.

Election to the Presidency[]

The President is elected by a majority vote (50% + 1) of the electorate through direct, universal and equal suffrage. All Malawian citizens that have attained the age of 18 are eligible to vote in all elections. Every presidential candidate shall declare who shall be his or her Vice-President if he or she is elected at the time of his or her nomination. The Vice-President shall be elected concurrently with the President and the name of a candidate for the Vice President shall appear on the same ballot paper as the name of the Presidential candidate who nominated him.

Previous presidents[]

Latest election[]

See also[]

  • List of colonial heads of Malawi (Nyasaland)
  • List of Governors-General of Malawi
  • List of heads of state of Malawi
  • List of heads of government of Malawi
  • Lists of incumbents

References[]

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