PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Malawi Speaker mulls over 2014 presidential run
Blantyre, Malawi (PANA) - Henry Chimunthu Banda, Speaker of the 193-member Malawi Parliament, has said he will decide whether or not to present his candidature to run for the 2014 election during the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) national convention in April.
"I am thinking about it, I'll make my stand known in two to three weeks' time," he told guests to his 50th birthday party in his constituency in the central lakeshore district of Nkhota Kota.
This is not the first time the Speaker had hinted on his 2014 run. Recently, he told a public rally in his constituency that "leaders are chosen by people" and if chosen to stand in the 2014 elections he will not say no."
If he makes up his mind to stand, the former teacher will pose the more credible challenge to Peter Arthur Mutharika, the DPP's presumptive candidate, who was anointed by former president Bingu wa Mutharika to succeed him before his sudden death from cardiac arrest in April last year.
Founded by the elder Mutharika in February 2005 nine months after assuming the presidency under the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket, the April convention will be its first.
Mutharika, 73, a Washington State University (Missouri) professor, was made acting DPP president soon after his brother's death.
The DPP was prematurely banished to opposition benches because then estranged Vice-President Joyce Banda formed her own People's Party after being expelled from the then ruling party.
Soon after 78-year-old Mutharika's death, Banda took over following a constitutional order making her PP the de facto ruling party.
Whoever emerges as a DPP 2014 presidential candidate will battle with UDF Atupele Austin Muluzi to unseat Banda, who is currently grappling with an ailing economy.
The 35-year-old son of former president Bakili Muluzi was elected UDF president and 2014 candidate in the party's convention in October last year.
-0- PANA RT/VAO 1Jan2013
"I am thinking about it, I'll make my stand known in two to three weeks' time," he told guests to his 50th birthday party in his constituency in the central lakeshore district of Nkhota Kota.
This is not the first time the Speaker had hinted on his 2014 run. Recently, he told a public rally in his constituency that "leaders are chosen by people" and if chosen to stand in the 2014 elections he will not say no."
If he makes up his mind to stand, the former teacher will pose the more credible challenge to Peter Arthur Mutharika, the DPP's presumptive candidate, who was anointed by former president Bingu wa Mutharika to succeed him before his sudden death from cardiac arrest in April last year.
Founded by the elder Mutharika in February 2005 nine months after assuming the presidency under the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket, the April convention will be its first.
Mutharika, 73, a Washington State University (Missouri) professor, was made acting DPP president soon after his brother's death.
The DPP was prematurely banished to opposition benches because then estranged Vice-President Joyce Banda formed her own People's Party after being expelled from the then ruling party.
Soon after 78-year-old Mutharika's death, Banda took over following a constitutional order making her PP the de facto ruling party.
Whoever emerges as a DPP 2014 presidential candidate will battle with UDF Atupele Austin Muluzi to unseat Banda, who is currently grappling with an ailing economy.
The 35-year-old son of former president Bakili Muluzi was elected UDF president and 2014 candidate in the party's convention in October last year.
-0- PANA RT/VAO 1Jan2013
