President of Malawi

The President of Malawi plays a vital role in the governmental system of Malawi. President of Malawi is considered as head of both the state as well as the government. The president of Malawi gets elected through the universal direct suffrage. The Malawi president is elected for a five years term. According to the constitution of Malawi the Malawi president elects a vice president.

As per the constitution the president of Malawi can also appoint a second vice president for Malawi but he or she must elect the second vice president from a different political party of Malawi. The president of Malawi also appoints the members of the cabinet. The president can elect the cabinet members from both sides within as well as outside of Malawi legislature.

Hastings Kamuzu Banda was first elected for the post of the president of Malawi on 6th July, 1966 and continued to hold the post till 21st May 1994. Bakili Muluzi became the president of the Republic of Malawi on 21st May 1994 and resigned from this post on 20th May 2004. Bakili Muluzi was elected as the president of Malawi for two times and after completing his tenure he attempted to amend the constitution of Malawi which does not allow the selection of one person to the seat of the president for three times at a stretch. Bakili Muluzi suggested an amendment of constitution to allow one person to become president of Malawi for a third term. But the parliament of Malawi rejected the suggestion and Bingu wa Mutharika became the next president of Malawi. Bingu wa Mutharika is the present president of the Republic of Malawi. Bingu wa Mutharika was elected for this post on 20th May 2004.