President Peter Mutharika will today preside over the State Opening of the 52nd Session of Parliament amid high expectations from stakeholders of an outline of concrete plans on improving livelihoods and reviving the economy.
Mutharika returns to Parliament in Lilongwe six years after opposition lawmakers booed him and walked out of the chamber in June 2019.
He is, among others, expected to deliver his inaugural statement for the first meeting of the 52nd Session of Parliament, which will also mark the beginning of Mid- Year Budget Review Meeting and inaugural meeting for the 2025-2030 cohort of legislators.
In separate interviews yesterday, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat), National Advocacy Platform (NAP) and the official opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said Mutharika has a daunting task as he is expected to outline his administration’s efforts to fix the economy, fight corruption, and ensure food security.
PAC spokesperson Bishop Gilford Matonga said the President’s statement comes at a critical moment when Malawi is going through several economic challenges.
He said on the quasi-religious body’s wish-list is the management of the economy, food security, and development.
Said Matonga: “The attention will be on how government plans to turn around the economy, deal with forex shortages and help in reducing cost of living which is unattainable for most Malawians at the moment.
“We have also seen that fuel shortages have resurfaced. Malawians have high hopes in how these issues are going to be handled by the new government and President himself.”
On the other hand, NAP cha i rper son Benedi c to Kondowe also said the President should touch on people’s welfare, adding he has the duty to protect and make decisions for the betterment of Malawians.
He said Mutharika should lay out credible austerity measures to curb wasteful public spending, tighten debt control, and restore fiscal discipline across government
“The President’s opening statement comes at a defining moment for Malawi, a nation battling fuel and foreign exchange shortages, a skyrocketing cost of living and the grim reality of over four million citizens in need of food aid. Malawians expect a message of courage and clarity one that moves beyond diagnosis to decisive action,” said Kondowe.
Csat executive director Willy Kambwandira said the accountability watchdog expects the President to outline a clear path of how his government plans to stabilise the economy and address the current national challenges.
He said Mutharika should use the platform to reaffirm his policy priorities and demonstrate leadership on key national concerns.
Meanwhile , MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said the party, which was booted out of power in the September 16 General Election, expects Mutharika to inspire hope in
Malawians and ensure that essential commodities are affordable.
She said much as the statement is not a State of the Nation Address (Sona), the Malawi leader should indicate how he will implement what he promised prior to the polls.
Said Kabwila: “Mutharika and DPP promised Malawians a lot of things. They promised free education, reduction in prices of commodities and that fertiliser will also be reduced.
“We want a clear plan from him as the rains are just days away. As MCP we want a clear plan from this new administration so that Malawians have hope.”
In a brief interview, presidential press secretary Cathy Maulidi said the President will address key issues affecting the country.
Mutharika, who previously served as the country’s fifth President between 2014 and 2020, was sworn-in as the seventh President on October 4 following his thumping victory in the September 16 General Election presidential race.
