Chakwera, Lazarus McCarthy, 1955–, Malawian political and religious leader. After studying theology in Malawi, South Africa, and the United States, he taught at several seminaries, then served as president of the Malawi Assemblies of God (1989–2013). Entering politics as a member of the Malawi Congress party in 1913, Chakwera became party leader and served as a representative in Malawi's parliament (2014–19). He made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2014, losing to Peter Mutharika, but ran again in 2019 as the candidate of the Tonse Alliance coalition. After the May, 2019, election was annulled due to irregularities, Chakwera defeated Mutharika in June, 2020. He also became minister of defense. Chakwera has written several books on religious topics.
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