Minister of Information and Digitization Moses Kunkuyu has described as “misleading and a blatant provocation” claims by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that President Lazarus Chakwera is at risk of impeachment due to numerous economic shocks in the country.

The minister, who is the official spokesman of the government, was reacting to a news published on the front page of our sister newspaper. Weekend Nation On November 2, 2024, the UK-based think tank’s political and economic outlook is cited, which predicts high living costs. The report stated that fuel shortages and food shortages, which leave 22 percent of the population in need of food aid, could fuel public protests.

However, in his reaction yesterday, Kunkuyu said the current challenges are not new and the ruling Tonse Alliance administration is taking measures to build a resilient economy.

In the report dated September 1, 2024 but published on October 14, 2024, the EIU sees that the possibility of holding early elections before the General Elections planned to be held on September 16, 2025 in the country has intensified due to the economic difficulties in the country.

However, Kunkuyu said such predictions were wrong and a clear provocation where there were projects that could turn the economy around and alleviate people’s suffering.

He said: “These actions do not happen when people can analyze the situation freely and soberly. In a place where people appreciate where we come from, the efforts the government is making, and where we are, the President cannot be impeached. “Public protests, if any, will be undertaken through civil means as a constitutional right, not as a means of driving political agendas, and any call for early elections will have absolutely no basis.”

The Minister said Malawians know where the country is coming from and it is not yet where the government would like it to be.

Kunkuyu said a successful tobacco marketing season, teachers being promoted after decades, police officers occupying beautiful homes and 97 percent of students in need having access to student loans are some of the success stories.

He said: “If civil servants can have health insurance, they will have everything they need to peacefully engage their government when issues arise other than opting for protests.

“If people saw the beautiful roads being built in the country last year, why would they plan to protect them instead of waiting patiently for more roads?”

On whether the Tonse administration still has the authority to govern effectively following the withdrawal of the five partners, Kunkuyu said the government is an entrenched structure with different layers participating in various functions.

He said: “This institution does not take into account the number of political parties that have agreed to form the government on behalf of Malawians and anyone who rejects this agreement is in no way disparaging the government institution but rather expressing dereliction of public duty and trust.” .”

Kunkuyu said a study like the one conducted by the EIU is a process of seeking answers to a specific problem and is conducted for various purposes depending on the situation.

According to the EIU, the intensification of the possibility of early elections in the country before September 2025 is due to the recent withdrawal of the UTM Party from the coalition; This created tremors in parliament and made “policymaking very challenging”.

In the 17-page report, the EIU observes that the country will remain politically unstable during 2024 and 2025, given low public support for Chakwera due to weak governance and the ongoing economic crisis.

However, politics and governance expert George Chaima agrees with Kunkuyu that suggestions for impeachment and early elections are just a power play, even though Chakwera is finding it difficult to govern the country.

Another social and political commentator, Humphreys Mvula, said that while it was true that the socioeconomic outlook was relatively poor, there were no signs or symptoms of an impending political rebellion nor of political machinations that would result in Chakwera’s removal or early elections. September 2025.