Why MCP Lost the 2025 Elections: Loyalists Felt Sidelined

The 2025 general elections delivered a stunning political upset in Malawi, ending the Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) five-year rule under President Lazarus Chakwera.

As analysts continue to unpack what went wrong, party insiders and political observers point to deep internal fractures, strategic missteps, and growing discontent within MCP’s traditional base.

While external factors—such as economic hardships and voter fatigue—played a role, many argue that MCP’s decisive loss was largely self-inflicted.

A major source of frustration came from long-standing MCP loyalists who felt sidelined throughout Chakwera’s presidency. According to party officials interviewed after the election, many veteran members believed the leadership abandoned them in favour of newcomers and individuals with limited history in the party.

This perceived marginalization weakened grassroots mobilization—MCP’s biggest traditional strength. “We could not mobilize with the same energy,” said one district chairperson. “People felt forgotten.”

Several constituencies reported unusually low campaign activity from MCP structures, with some members choosing not to canvass at all. Another major criticism stems from President Chakwera’s alleged preference for appointing individuals from his religious circles, particularly fellow clergy within the Assemblies of God.

This created an internal narrative that appointments were based on personal associations rather than merit or loyalty to the party. The move was widely interpreted within the party as an abandonment of MCP’s historical identity and networks. Political analysts argue that this shift fractured the party’s unity and weakened coherence ahead of the election.

Throughout his term, Chakwera and those close to him faced recurring allegations from critics that the presidency was increasingly self-serving. Although no formal charges were brought, the public perception that the President and some of his family members benefitted from state-associated opportunities lingered throughout the campaign period.

For an electorate already grappling with economic challenges and frustrated by rising living costs, perceptions of self-enrichment among top leadership further eroded MCP’s credibility. “It became a political liability,” notes governance commentator Victor Mbewe. “People felt the government was more focused on personal gain than national progress.”

A notable complaint from MCP insiders was that the President increasingly dismissed concerns or requests for dialogue from party structures. Multiple constituency leaders reported that members who tried to raise issues—whether about development, appointments, or campaign support—felt ignored or, in some cases, accused of pushing personal agendas.

This alleged breakdown in communication created a sense of alienation within the rank-and-file, resulting in weakened motivation during the campaign season.

The 2025 elections did not turn on a single issue but rather a combination of internal fractures and public disillusionment. Chakwera’s failure to maintain cohesion within his party, combined with governance and economic frustrations, created a political environment ripe for electoral defeat.

Analysts say MCP’s path to political recovery now depends on:

• Rebuilding internal unity
• Re-engaging long-time members
• Addressing leadership trust issues
• Recreating a clear ideological and organizational identity. Whether the party learns from these lessons will determine its relevance heading into the next election cycle.