President of Malawi

The President of the Republic of 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.

President of the
Republic of Malawi
Mtsogoleri wa Dziko la Malawi (in Chichewa)
Flag of the President of Malawi.svg
Presidential Standard
Lazarus Chakwera 2017.jpg
Incumbent
Lazarus Chakwera

since 28 June 2020
Executive branch of the Malawian Government
StyleHis Excellency (formal)
Member ofCabinet
SeatLilongwe
Term lengthFive years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Malawi
Formation6 July 1966
First holderHastings Banda
DeputyVice President of Malawi
SalaryUS$ 42,000 p.a.[1]
Websitewww.statehouse.mw

Monarch (1964–1966)

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Monarch
(Birth–Death)
Portrait Reign Royal House Prime Minister
Reign start Reign end Time in office
1 Queen Elizabeth II
(1926–)
  6 July 1964 6 July 1966 2 years Windsor Banda

Governor-General

The Governor-General was the representative of the monarch in Malawi and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The Governor-General was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch. After the passage of the Statute of Westminster 1931, the Governor-General was appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Malawi without the involvement of the British government. In the event of a vacancy the Chief Justice served as Officer Administering the Government.

Status

     Denotes Chief Justice acting as Officer Administering the Government

Governor-General
(Birth–Death)
Portrait Tenure Monarch Prime Minister
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Sir Glyn Jones
(1908–1992)
  6 July 1964 6 July 1966 2 years Elizabeth II Banda

List of presidents

     Denotes Vice-President acting as President

President
(Birth–Death)
Portrait Tenure Elected Political affiliation
(at time of appointment)
Took office Left office
1 Hastings Banda
(1898–1997) [2]
  6 July 1966 21 May 1994 Malawi Congress Party
2 Bakili Muluzi
(1943–)
  21 May 1994 24 May 2004 1994
1999
United Democratic Front
3 Bingu wa Mutharika
(1934–2012)
  24 May 2004 5 April 2012
(died in office.)
2004 United Democratic Front
2009 Democratic Progressive Party [3]
4 Joyce Banda
(1950–)
  7 April 2012 31 May 2014 People's Party
5 Peter Mutharika
(1940–)
  31 May 2014 28 June 2020 2014, 2019 Democratic Progressive Party
6 Lazarus Chakwera
(1955–)
  28 June 2020 Incumbent 2020 Malawi Congress Party

References