Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party are holding separate parliamentary caucuses to strategise ahead of the State opening of Parliament on October 31, the first meeting for the 2025-2030 cohort.
MCP and UTM confirmed in separate interviews yesterday that they have been holding meetings involving their members of Parliament (MPs)-elect and party leadership.
Speaking in an interview, MCP publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila said the party’s caucuses were ongoing and that discussions are aimed at ensuring that Malawians are well-represented in Parliament.
“As the main opposition party, we are geared to play our oversight role in Parliament and ensure that the ruling party is delivering on its campaign promises. Malawians do not eat politics, but they want delivery of the promises,” she said.
But Kabwila said she was yet to get details regarding the party’s leadership in Parliament.
On the other hand, UTM Party held its caucus on Friday at the party’s headquarters in Lilongwe.
Writing on his Facebook page, UTM president Dalitso Kabambe said the discussions focused on key priorities, including economic transformation, youth empowerment and public sector reforms.
He stressed that the caucus is the beginning of a disciplined, strategic and patriotic approach to governance.
“We are the government in waiting. Let our actions from this day forward reflect that reality,” said Kabambe.
People’s Party spokesperson Ackson Kalaile Banda said in an interview yesterday that the party is expected to hold its caucus today while Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) publicity secretary Shadric Namalomba said the governing party will meet next week.
DPP last week named newcomer Patricia Wiskes of Lilongwe City Nankhaka Constituency as its chief whip with Mzimba Hora Constituency MP-elect Martha Munthali-Ngwira as her deputy while UTM appointed veteran legislator Patricia Kaliati, MP-elect for Mulanje West, as its leader in Parliament with Mwanza Central MP-elect Felix Njawala as the chief whip and Karonga Nyungwe MP-elect Kenneth Ndovi as deputy chief whip.
Meanwhile, the elected MPs are attending orientation this week in Lilongwe ahead of their swearing-in on October 27 and 28.
President Peter Mutharika is scheduled to open the 52nd Session of Parliament on October 31, two days after the election of Speaker, First Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker on October 29.
Based on the September 16 2025 General Election parliamentary race results for 224 constituencies in the 229-seat National Assembly declared by Malawi Electoral Commission, DPP won 78 seats, independents took 70 and MCP secured 53 seats.
On the other hand, UTM Party won eight, United Democratic Front (UDF) four, PP and Alliance for Democracy took three each while People’s Development Party, Freedom Party and National Development Party secured one each.
However, the configurations are likely to change as some independents have declared their decision to join DPP.
