Before Parliament rose sine die on Friday December 5 2025, Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda reminded government that Malawians are anxiously waiting for clear signals of economic recovery, improved governance and tangible development initiatives. He asked government why it had not yet come up with a comprehensive economic recovery plan, arguing that such a roadmap critical as Malawians continue to grapple with high costs of living and weakening buying power. With rains already falling across the country, Chithyola Banda lamented that many farmers lacked access to subsidised fertilisers and farm inputs under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme.
He warned that delayed distribution could result in poor harvests and hunger. He, therefore, urged government to accelerate farm inputs distribution and invest in agricultural productivity, arguing that Malawi could become a regional food basket if local farmers are well-supported. During his address, the Leader of Opposition also questioned the continued dismissal of public officers without respecting due processes, the freezing of recruitment and the cancellation of cheaper farm inputs contracts in favour of more expensive ones.
He further warned that corporate tax increases, such as the 40 percent tax imposed on profits might stifle business growth and undermine investment. Said Chithyola Banda: “We do not expect that in three months government would have done everything but at least a signal that things will start working soon is what Malawians are looking for out there. “As a responsible opposition, we are giving you space to prove to Malawians that you will make a good government in the next five years.
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We are adjourning the House sine die today with the hope that government will implement a clear economic recovery plan to help in addressing the myriad economic challenges Malawians are facing.” But Leader of the House Jappie Mhango argued that time for politics is over and Malawians need to work and get the country back to a path to recovery. Mhango, while acknowledging that Malawi is facing serious economic challenges, said President Peter Mutharika is offering solutions to those challenges through the implementation of campaign promises. He said everything the Democratic Progressive Party promised during campaign will be delivered.
On October 31, Mutharika opened the 52nd Session of Parliament which ran up to December 5 2025. Among others, the lawmakers passed the revised K8.589 trillion Mid-Term Budget without amendments to the allocation estimates. In addition, the lawmakers passed the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Constitutional Amendment Bill which defines the role of members of Parliament in the oversight of the fund.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa in an interview said Chithyola is justified to raise those concerns because Malawians are facing a lot of economic challenges. As such, he said it would be irresponsible to outrightly dismiss the Leader of Opposition.
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