The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a political party in

Malawi Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast ...

. The party was formed in February 2005 by Malawian President

Bingu wa Mutharika Bingu wa Mutharika (; born Brightson Webster Ryson Thom; 24 February 1934 – 5 April 2012) was a Malawian politician and economist who was President of Malawi from May 2004 until his death in April 2012. He was also President of the Demo ...

after a dispute with the United Democratic Front (UDF), which was led by his predecessor,

Bakili Muluzi Elson Bakili Muluzi (born March 17, 1943 in Machinga, Nyasaland) is a Malawian politician who was the first freely elected president of Malawi from 1994 to 2004. He was also chairman of the United Democratic Front (UDF) until 2009. He succeeded ...

History

The DPP party is an offshoot of the United Democratic Front. The UDF was formed by

and

and came to power in 1994 under Muluzi. After Muluzi's two terms were over, Mutharika succeeded him as head of the party and nation. However, Muluzi remained involved in running the party; therefore Mutharika formed his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, in early 2005. Many UDF members defected to the new DPP party. The party and Mutharika won elections in 2009, and continued to rule the country.

Internal politics

In October 2008, the DPP's national governing council unanimously chose Mutharika as the party's candidate for the May 2009 presidential election.

Rise of the PP

Bingu wa Mutharika increasingly became controlling in the party. He began to groom his brother,

Peter Mutharika Arthur Peter Mutharika (born 18 July 1940) is a Malawian politician and lawyer who was President of Malawi from May 2014 to June 2020. Mutharika has worked in the field of international justice, specialising in international economic law, inter ...

, to be his successor. This led to a situation where he began to sideline his vice-president

Joyce Banda Joyce Hilda Banda (née Ntila; born 12 April 1950) is a Malawian politician who was the President of Malawi from 7 April 2012 to 31 May 2014. Banda took office as President following the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika. She is the ...

due to her refusal to accept the move. Mutharika then kicked her out of the party. Therefore, the courts held that she was still the vice-president of the country even though she was not the vice-president of the party. Subsequently, Joyce Banda formed the People's Party. When Mutharika died in April 2012, Banda was still the Vice-President and thus succeeded Mutharika as President, leaving the DPP under Peter Mutharika in opposition.

1 August 2011 DPP politburo

On 1 August 2011, Bingu wa Mutharika shuffled the leadership of the DPP. Bintony Kutsaira, who was secretary general of the party, was moved to the Office of the President and Cabinet and replaced by Wakuda Kamanga. Former finance minister

Goodall Gondwe Goodall Edward Gondwe (born 1 December 1936) is a Malawian economist who served in the cabinet of Malawi as Minister of Finance from 2014 to 2019. Previously he was Minister of Finance from 2004 to 2009, Minister of Local Government from 2009 to 2 ...

was named first vice-president, replacing Joyce Banda who was dismissed from the party in December 2010 for "anti-party activities". Following the death of President Mutharika, who was also party leader, the National Governing Council of the Party chose Peter Mutharika as the new Party President on 6 April 2012. The new DPP politburo after the shuffle: Regional Governors: * North: Ancient Nkhata * Centre: Kalanzi Mbewe * East:

Yusuf Yusweja Yusuf ( ar, يوسف ') is a male name of Arabic origin meaning "God increases" (in piety, power and influence).From the Hebrew יהוה להוסיף ''YHWH Lhosif'' meaning "YHWH will increase/add". It is the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew name ...

* South:

Noel Masangwi Noel or Noël may refer to: Christmas * , French for Christmas * Noel is another name for a Christmas carol Places * Noel, Missouri, United States, a city *Noel, Nova Scotia, Canada, a community * 1563 Noël, an asteroid *Mount Noel, Britis ...

DPP presidents

2014–2020 *

2004–2012

DPP members

Etta Banda Eta Elizabeth Banda (born 1949) is a former Malawian politician who was the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2011. Prior to entering politics, she worked as a health professional and university administrator. Early life Banda st ...

* Catherine Hara *

Yunus Mussa Yunus Mussa is a politician in Malawi Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the we ...

Peter Mukhito Peter Mukhito is the former Inspector General of Police in Malawi. He comes from Chiradzulu District. He has gained notoriety for his involvement in interrogating Blessings Chinsinga which began the stand off for academic freedom in Malawi betwee ...

* Uladi Mussa *

Kondwani Nakhumwa Kondwani Nankhumwa (born July 3, 1978) is a Malawian politician who served as the Minister of Local Government in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government led by Prof. Peter Mutharika in Malawi Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ' ...

* Yusuf Jonas

Electoral history

Presidential elections

National Assembly elections

All above results come from election reports on the Malawi Electoral Commission website.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Liberal parties in Africa Political parties in Malawi Political parties established in 2005 2005 establishments in Malawi