The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a political party in Malawi. It was formed in February 2005 by then-President of Malawi Bingu wa Mutharika after a dispute with his party, the United Democratic Front (UDF), which was led by him in the 2004 general election and chaired by his predecessor, Bakili Muluzi. The party returned to power in 2025 in a peaceful transition.

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. It regained its ruling position in 2025 when the party took nearly 57% of the national vote. The outgoing President conceded defeat in a transition that was noted for its calm transfer of power.

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."Malawi's Mutharika nominated for re-election" , AFP, 22 October 2008.

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 expelled her from the party. 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 2011 shuffle: Office 1st 2nd 3rdPresident Peter Mutharika Vice-president Goodall Edward Gondwe Yunus Mussa Jean KalilaniSecretary General Jean Kalilani Deputy Secretary General Isaac Nyakamera Etta Banda Ralph JoomaTreasurer General Sidik Mia Bessie Chirambo Leckford ThothoNational Organising Secretary Francis Mphepo Catherine Hara John ZingaleNational Campaign Director Ken Zikhale Ng'oma Rashy Gaffar Alice Lungu

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 Electoral 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 Key:

No. Portrait Name Term start Term end Length President 1 Bingu wa Mutharika February 2005 5 April 2012 Himself 2 Peter Mutharika 5 April 2012 Incumbent Banda Himself Chakwera Himself

DPP members Etta Banda Goodall Gondwe Norman Chisale Yunus Mussa Peter Mukhito Bingu wa Mutharika Sameer Suleman Alfred Gangata Yusuf Jonas

Election results

Presidential elections ElectionParty CandidateVotes%PositionResult2009Bingu wa Mutharika2,963,82066.17% 1stElected2014Peter Mutharika1,904,39936.42% 1stElected20191,940,70938.57% 1stAnnulled20201,951,87739.92% 2ndDefeated20253,035,24956.76% 1stElected

National Assembly elections ElectionParty leaderVotes%Seats+/–Position2009Bingu wa Mutharika 1,739,20239.99% 114 1st2014Peter Mutharika1,133,40221.98% 63 1st20191,293,79726.04% 11 1st2025TBATBA 19 1st All above results come from election reports on the Malawi Electoral Commission website.

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