Parliament next battleground for Mutharika

Malawi's 193-seat parliament is likely to be the next battleground in the ongoing power struggle between President Bingu wa Mutharika and his former party, the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by his predecessor Bakili Muluzi.

Mutharika's resignation from the UDF means that "we have a situation where we do not have a government in parliament. Mutharika will have to work hard to recruit MPs from the opposition to support him," said political analyst Boniface Dulani.

"It will be interesting to see how people will align themselves in parliament. I know that a number of MPs will support [Mutharika's] government," he added.

The UDF has asked for legal advice regarding Mutharika's resignation from the party.

Prior to his decision to exit the UDF on 5 February, the party had 75 MPs, including 23 independents, who joined the party after the May elections. The 23 independents now say they will support Mutharika and his government.

Mutharika's cabinet ministers have already pledged their loyalty to him and two of them have resigned from the UDF.

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, John Tembo, said he would support the government and its policies "as long as they are for the good of the nation". But Dulani noted that the MCP, the largest party in parliament, could decide to work with the UDF.

Taking into account the pledges of support from independent MPs and smaller opposition parties, Mutharika could control 80 of 193 seats in parliament. This excludes the MCP's 60 seats.