Wed Sep 24 21:21:27 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, written from the perspective of *The Hindu*:

**Mutharika Returns to Power in Malawi Amidst Economic Woes**

**Blantyre, Malawi | September 25, 2025** – Former President Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of Malawi’s presidential election, marking a dramatic return to power and ousting incumbent Lazarus Chakwera after a single term. The Malawi Electoral Commission announced that Mutharika secured 56% of the vote, surpassing the required threshold to avoid a runoff, while Chakwera garnered 33%.

Chakwera conceded defeat in a national television address, acknowledging the will of the Malawian people for a change in government. Supporters of Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) celebrated in the streets of Blantyre, the commercial capital.

This election marks a significant turnaround for Mutharika, who previously lost to Chakwera in a historic 2020 election rerun. Mutharika’s initial victory in 2019 was nullified by the courts due to widespread irregularities, making him the first African leader to be removed from office in such a manner.

Chakwera’s popularity waned during his term, largely due to a persistent economic crisis that has plagued the nation. Malawi, one of Africa’s poorest countries, has been grappling with soaring inflation (over 27%), fuel and food shortages, and the devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy in 2023 and a subsequent drought. Voters, particularly the over 80% of the population reliant on agriculture, cited the economy as their primary concern.

Mutharika, an 85-year-old former law professor, campaigned on promises to revitalize the economy and restore experienced leadership. However, his previous term was marred by allegations of corruption and public discontent over essential shortages.

The election also saw participation from 15 other candidates, including former President Joyce Banda, but the contest largely remained a two-horse race between Mutharika and Chakwera, who have now faced each other in four elections since 2014.

Despite concerns raised by several parties, including Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP), about irregularities in some voting districts, Chakwera confirmed that he had congratulated Mutharika and that his party would accept the outcome. The Malawi Electoral Commission stated that all complaints had been addressed and no major problems were reported.

Malawians also cast their votes for parliamentary representatives and local government officials. The country, a former British protectorate, has been striving for a peaceful multiparty democracy since the end of autocratic rule in 1994. The death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima in a military plane crash last year added a layer of complexity to the political landscape. His leadership was seen as waited by the young Malawians.

The return of Mutharika raises questions about the future direction of Malawi, particularly concerning its economic recovery and governance. While he promises stability and experience, his past record remains a point of contention.

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*The Hindu* will continue to monitor the situation in Malawi and provide further analysis.

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