Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LILONGWE559
2004-06-23 09:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

UDF OBTAINS MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT; MULUZI

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PINR MI 
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UNCLAS LILONGWE 000559 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: UDF OBTAINS MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT; MULUZI
INCREASES INFLUENCE OVER MUTHARIKA

SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000559

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: UDF OBTAINS MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT; MULUZI
INCREASES INFLUENCE OVER MUTHARIKA

SUMMARY
--------------

1. (SBU) With the June 18 announcement that the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the ruling United Democratic
Front (UDF) have formed an alliance, the UDF (owing primarily
to Chairman Bakili Muluzi's political maneuvering) has
successfully secured a majority in Parliament and overcome
the opposition. As kingpin of the deals in the House, former
President Muluzi has deepened his influence over President
Bingu wa Mutharika while garnering support for
Muluzi-loyalist Rodwell Munyenyembe as Speaker. Scheduled to
convene June 28, Parliament will elect a Speaker and Deputies
before Mutharika officially opens the session on June 29.
END SUMMARY.

NDA AND UDF FORM AN ALLIANCE
--------------

2. (U) National Democratic Alliance (NDA) President Brown
Mpinganjira and ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) party
chairman Bakili Muluzi announced on June 18 at Muluzi's
Blantyre residence that the two parties had agreed to form an
alliance "for the sake of national unity." At the time of
the announcement, no formal MOU had been signed, and a
technical committee was reported to be working out the
details. Mpinganjira said the NDA joined the UDF because it
wanted to actively participate in "national development," and
he claimed he has received no "material benefits" from the
alliance. President Bingu wa Mutharika was notably absent
from the press conference.

UDF'S MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT
--------------

3. (SBU) With the NDA's 8 seats in Parliament, the UDF has
the support of 105 parliamentarians, 8 more than the simple
majority required to pass legislation in the 193 member
house. Thanks to Muluzi's politicking, the UDF's majority is
supported by 6 different political parties and 22 independent
MPs.


4. (SBU) UDF Spokesperson Ken Lipenga told the media on June
20 that the UDF will support Rodwell Munyenyembe, who was
elected the House's first Speaker in 1994, as the party's
candidate for Speaker. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP),
leading opposition party with 57 parliamentary seats, has
said its candidate will be Louis Chimango. (COMMENT: After
Munyenyembe lost his parliamentary seat in 1999, he defected
from the Alliance for Democracy to the UDF. Since then, he
has been a Muluzi loyalist, serving in high-ranking cabinet
positions throughout Muluzi's second term, most recently as
Minister of Defense. END COMMENT.)

FIRST SESSION OF THE HOUSE
--------------

5. (SBU) Clerk of Parliament Roosevelt Gondwe told polfsn the
election of the Speaker and Deputies will take place the
morning of June 28. The President will officially open the
session with an address on the morning of June 29. A
constitutionally-mandated 5 days of debate on the President's
comments will follow. The House will then begin regular
business.

COMMENT
--------------

6. (SBU) With the conclusion of an alliance with once
arch-enemy Brown Mpinganjira and the NDA after earlier
cementing an alliance with Gwanda Chakuamba and his Republic
Party, Muluzi and the UDF have effectively trumped the
opposition. Several parties that vowed never to work
together have aligned themselves with the UDF, and Muluzi is
clearly the kingpin. With Mutharika dependent on a working
majority in Parliament, Muluzi has increased his influence
over Mutharika. END COMMENT.
DOUGHERTY