Vice president changes parties as elections approach

The defection of Malawi's Vice-President Justin Malewezi to an opposition party has led to media reports that the country could be facing a constitutional crisis. Malewezi left the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and joined the Peoples' Progressive Movement (PPM) in early January, resulting in calls for him to resign the vice-presidency. But political analyst Rafiq Hajat, of the Blantyre-based Institute for Policy Interaction, told IRIN on Thursday that "constitutionally speaking, he has done nothing wrong". "It merely shows that Malawi's democracy is still evolving; that it's alive and well, and the process of nurturing it must go on until it reaches maturity." Hajat added that "people in Malawi find it hard to distinguish between the ruling party and government. Being a state vice-president and coming from another party is not necessarily wrong - it can happen". Under the constitution, President Bakili Muluzi cannot fire Malewezi as both the presidency and vice-presidency are elected positions, news reports have said. The vice-president's decision could have a bearing on the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, to be held in May. "He has a reputation as Mr Clean, and is a very, very good organiser," Hajat noted. By joining the PPM, Malewezi has aligned himself with another prominent Malawian politician, Aleke Banda.