Lilongwe:  Former President Peter Mutharika, aged 85, has won the 2025 Malawian presidential election, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in a decisive victory. According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, Mutharika secured 56.8% of the votes, while Chakwera received 33%.

Chakwera conceded defeat in a televised address, emphasizing respect for the constitution and the will of the people. This election marks Mutharika’s return to power after previously serving as president from 2014 to 2020.

Mutharika’s comeback follows a period of economic challenges under Chakwera’s administration, which faced high inflation, shortages of essential goods, and natural disasters. During his campaign, Mutharika promised to tackle these issues and restore economic stability.

The 2025 election was the second held under Malawi’s two-round constitutional threshold, introduced after the annulment of the 2019 general election and the fresh presidential vote in 2020 that brought Chakwera to power. Despite some complaints of minor voting irregularities, the Malawi Electoral Commission reported no major issues during the process.

Political analysts view Mutharika’s return as a significant development in Malawi’s multiparty democracy, which has been in place since 1994 after decades of autocratic rule.

Mutharika’s victory at 85 makes him one of the oldest world leaders to return to power, highlighting the enduring influence of seasoned political figures in Malawi’s political landscape.