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Deadline to end Malawi deadlock Deadline to end Malawi deadlock
(about 2 hours later)
Malawi's president has given parliament two days to agree a budget or he says he will close it down.Malawi's president has given parliament two days to agree a budget or he says he will close it down.
Bingu wa Mutharika said opposition MPs were playing "games with the lives of the people" by not meeting to discuss the budget. Bingu wa Mutharika said opposition MPs were playing "games with the lives of the people" by not meeting to seriously discuss the long-delayed budget.
President Mutharika leads a minority government after he left the party on whose ticket he was elected in 2004.President Mutharika leads a minority government after he left the party on whose ticket he was elected in 2004.
Opposition MPs are refusing to discuss the budget unless MPs who switched to the president's party are expelled.Opposition MPs are refusing to discuss the budget unless MPs who switched to the president's party are expelled.
Earlier, the finance minister told the BBC that closed-door talks between the government and opposition may be the only way to end the row over the budget.Earlier, the finance minister told the BBC that closed-door talks between the government and opposition may be the only way to end the row over the budget.
Corruption row 'Irresponsible'
The government says key state services and international aid contributions are at risk if the budget is not approved.The government says key state services and international aid contributions are at risk if the budget is not approved.
They are the ones who are not democratic because they want to deny the whole country of development President Bingu wa Mutharika
"I am giving them two days, and if today and tomorrow they do not start discussing seriously the budget, I am closing down parliament," Mr Mutharika said in a speech on national radio."I am giving them two days, and if today and tomorrow they do not start discussing seriously the budget, I am closing down parliament," Mr Mutharika said in a speech on national radio.
Mr Mutharika (back) was chosen by his predecessor Bakili Muluzi (front) but the pair have since fallen out "I don't want anybody to say this is undemocratic. They are the ones who are not democratic because they want to deny the whole country of development," he continued.
The president reminded his listeners that the budget session had started on 21 April.
"Nearly four months discussing the budget - there's no parliament on this earth that will discuss the budget for four months. So I'm saying the opposition is irresponsible," he said.
The speaker ordered parliament to start debating the budget again on Tuesday afternoon, but only pro-government MPs have been speaking.
Analysts say the row could topple the government, which has so far insisted that the budget is approved before the question of expelling MPs is addressed.Analysts say the row could topple the government, which has so far insisted that the budget is approved before the question of expelling MPs is addressed.
The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Malawi says the deadlock is likely to be a cause for concern to international donors who contribute 40% of the country's budget.The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Malawi says the deadlock is likely to be a cause for concern to international donors who contribute 40% of the country's budget.
Prominent religious leaders and civil society activists have also been urging talks, our reporter says. 'Political impasse'
Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe had earlier hinted at possible talks.Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe had earlier hinted at possible talks.
Mr Mutharika (back) was chosen by his predecessor Bakili Muluzi (front) but the pair have since fallen out
"We realise as a government that there's a political impasse," he said about the six-week dispute."We realise as a government that there's a political impasse," he said about the six-week dispute.
"Probably it would not be discussed and resolved in the chamber, it may need to be done behind doors," Mr Gondwe told the BBC's Network Africa programme."Probably it would not be discussed and resolved in the chamber, it may need to be done behind doors," Mr Gondwe told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
The current political impasse began in June, when the Supreme Court ruled that the speaker of parliament can expel MPs who switch parties. Prominent religious leaders and civil society activists have also been urging talks, our reporter says.
The political impasse began in June, when the Supreme Court ruled that the speaker of parliament can expel MPs who switch parties.
Most members of President wa Mutharika's party were elected on the ticket of the former ruling party, the United Democratic Front (UDF).Most members of President wa Mutharika's party were elected on the ticket of the former ruling party, the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Mr Mutharika also won elections for the UDF, but left to set up the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - accusing UDF officials of blocking his anti-corruption drive.Mr Mutharika also won elections for the UDF, but left to set up the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - accusing UDF officials of blocking his anti-corruption drive.
Analysts say should the speaker expel the floor-crossing MPs, it could take six months to organise all the by-elections which would ensue.Analysts say should the speaker expel the floor-crossing MPs, it could take six months to organise all the by-elections which would ensue.