Political pundits have described some electoral alliances being mooted by ‘smaller’ political parties ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election as baits to attract major parties to rope them in.
The pundits noted in separate interviews that most of the smaller parties know that they are less likely to collectively win the presidency, as such, the strategy could be forming alliances to bargain as a bloc.
bargaining. | Nation
Recently, there have been discussions between various political parties seeking partnerships. Last week, it emerged that leaders of Alliance for Democracy (Aford), UTM Party and United Democratic Front (UDF) met to discuss wide-ranging issues, including a possible alliance while this week People’s Development Party (PDP), Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (Mafunde), People’s Party (PP) and Freedom Party also met and agreed to establish a framework of a political and electoral alliance.
But speaking in separate interviews yesterday, electoral and identity politics expert Ernest Thindwa said the collective strength of PDP, PP, Mafunde and FP is not enough to register success against the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) if Afrobarometer survey data of August 2024 is anything to go by.
“Any alliance that does not involve the DPP or MCP is less likely to win the 2025 presidential election and this is why the smaller parties are the ones that are getting busy with alliance negotiations,” he said.
University of Malawi lecturer in legislative and electoral politics Gift Sambo said the four political parties need to form a grand alliance with other opposition parties, including the DPP if their aim is to dislodge the governing MCP.
He said: “However, the 50-percent-plus-one gives incentives to small parties to enhance their bargaining power by demonstrating that they have something to offer on the table.”
Pan-African research network Afrobarometer in December reported that if general elections were held last August DPP would have gotten 43 percent of the vote against 29 percent for MCP, seven percent for UTM Party and two percent for UDF. The survey said the rest of the parties would be left clutching one percent of the vote while 14 percent of those sampled were either undecided or refused to state their preference.
Meanwhile, PP secretary general Ben Chakhame said in an interview yesterday that the four have not closed the door on other parties and their leaders will decide on who will be the torchbearer.
On his part, PDP secretary general Simeon Phiri said the party’s desire is to have Kondwani Nankhumwa on the presidential ballot but that will depend on the discussions between leaders of the four parties.
Recently, DPP secretary general Peter Mukhito said his party engaged UTM, UDF, PP and Aford for a potential electoral alliance.
Meanwhile, political analysts Wonderful Mkhutche and George Chaima have said parties are being cautious about aligning with the MCP because the governing party did not lead Tonse Alliance in a transparent and accountable manner.
