His Excellency, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, has arrived in Parliament where he is expected to respond to questions from the Legislators emerging from the State of the Nation Address (SONA), which he delivered on Friday 9th February, 2004.
Since he assumed power, President Chakwera has been going to Parliament to answer questions after delivering the SONA. Members of Parliament have been debating the SONA since Monday, 12th February, 2024.
President Chakwera goes into the annals of history as the second multi-party era leader to appear before the August House to answer questions from the law makers.
President Chakwera is expected to answer a maximum of five questions and the questions are expected to come from Machinga North East MP Ajilu Kalitendere from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Zomba Central MP Bester Awali (DPP), DPP Leader in the House Mary Navicha representing Thyolo Thava, Nkhata Bay South East legislator Noah Chimpeni of Peoples Party (PP) and Chikwawa West lawmaker Susan Dossi from United Transformation Movement (UTM).
Additionally, the Speaker of Parliament is expected to allow three supplementary questions on each of the five questions.
Section 89 (3) (c) of the Constitution and Standing Order 70B stipulates that during a Budget Meeting of the Assembly, and before consideration of the Budget Estimates, the President shall attend Parliament to respond to questions asked and raised during debate on the State of the Nation Address as required by Section 89 (3) of the Constitution.
By Robert Zingani
