President of Malawi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of theRepublic of Malawi |
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Presidential Standard
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| Executive branch of the Malawian Government | |
| Style | His Excellency (formal) |
| Member of | Cabinet |
| Residence | State House, Lilongwe, Malawi |
| Seat | Kamuzu Palace, Capital Hill, Lilongwe |
| Term length | Five years,
renewable once consencutively
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Malawi (1991) |
| Formation | 6 July 1966 |
| First holder | Hastings Banda |
| Deputy | Vice President of Malawi |
| Salary | 77,509,760 Malawian kwacha/US$ 74,300 annually |
The President of the Republic of Malawi is a very important leader. This person is both the head of state and the head of government for Malawi. The president leads the country's main government group, called the executive branch. They are also the top commander of the Malawian Defence Force, which is Malawi's military. The current president is Lazarus Chakwera, who started his role in June 2020.
Contents
How Malawi's Government Works
The President's Role
Malawi's constitution, which is like the country's rulebook, was updated in 1995. It says that the president is chosen by people voting directly. This election happens every five years. The president is in charge of both leading the country and running the government.
Vice Presidents and Cabinet
Malawi also has a vice-president. This person is elected at the same time as the president. The president can also choose to appoint a second vice-president. If they do, this second vice-president must be from a different political party. The president also picks a group of advisors called the cabinet. These cabinet members can be chosen from people who are already in the country's law-making group, called the legislature, or from outside of it. The president also serves as the Minister of Defence.
Current President
Lazarus Chakwera became the president of Malawi on June 28, 2020. He took his oath in Lilongwe, the capital city.
History of the Presidency
Becoming a Republic
Malawi used to be called Nyasaland and was ruled by Britain. On July 6, 1964, Nyasaland became an independent country and changed its name to Malawi. At first, Elizabeth II was still the Queen of Malawi. But in 1966, Malawi adopted a new constitution and became a republic. This meant it would have its own president.
First President and Changes
The first president of Malawi was Hastings Banda. He was the prime minister before becoming president. In 1971, he was even named "president for life." However, after 1993, Malawi became a country with many political parties. This change brought in new rules to make sure no single president had too much power. Later presidents have been chosen by popular vote, meaning the people directly elect them.
How Presidents Are Elected
Voting for the President
To become president, a candidate needs to win more than half of the votes (50% plus one more vote). All Malawian citizens who are 18 years old or older can vote in elections. When someone wants to become president, they must also announce who their vice-president will be. The vice-president is elected at the same time as the president, and both names appear on the ballot.
How Long a President Can Serve
The Constitution of Malawi sets limits on how long a president can stay in office. A president can serve for two terms, and each term lasts five years. So, a president can serve a maximum of ten years in a row. There was an attempt in 2003 to change these limits for President Bakili Muluzi, but it did not happen.
More About Malawi's Leaders
- List of colonial heads of Malawi (Nyasaland)
- List of heads of state of Malawi
- List of heads of government of Malawi
- Lists of incumbents
