During a political rally in the country's commercial city of Blantyre leading up to the presidential race in 2020, Chilima revealed that one of the basis for the formation of the Tonse Alliance between Malawi Congress Party and UTM was that after the first term of his presidency, Chakwera would pave way for Chilima to lead the pact in the 2025 presidential elections
Pa nthawi yamsonkhani wandale mu mzinda wa Blantyre pokonzekera chisankho cha mtsogoleri wa dziko mu chaka cha 2020, Chilima anaulula kuti msanamira imodzi yokhazikitsira mgwirizano wa Tonse pakati pa Malawi Congress ndi UTM ndi wakuti chigawo choyamba cholamula chikatha, Chakwera adzapeleka mpata kwa a Chilima kuti atsogolere mgwirizanowu pachisankho cha mtsogoleri wa dziko mu 2025