MDP claims 90 percent of last year’s presidential pledges remain unfulfilled

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Wednesday accused the government of failing to deliver on 90 percent of the commitments outlined in last year’s Presidential Statement.

The President is scheduled to deliver this year’s Presidential Statement on Thursday, marking the opening of a new session of the PNC‑majority Parliament.

Speaking at a press conference, MDP MPs said many of the pledges made in previous presidential statements remain unfulfilled. MDP Interim Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Moosa claimed that most of last year’s commitments had not been implemented and said the country’s finances were under strain.

He said the government owed the public an explanation for why it had not carried out the work promised when it is now preparing to present a new statement after completing one year in office.

“As I said, 90 percent of the work has not been done. But the reality today is that the budget has been exhausted. That is the reality we have in front of us,” Ghafoor said.

Hulhumale' South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed said the government must consider the current state of the country when delivering its third Presidential Statement. He noted that while the economy was forecast to grow by 6.5 percent in 2025, it ended the year at around five percent.

The MDP also reiterated its criticism that the government has not met key economic promises, including commitments on halting money printing and avoiding dollar devaluation.

Last year’s Presidential Statement was disrupted after MDP MPs began protesting inside the chamber. When the Speaker ordered them to leave, the MPs refused, prompting the President to suspend the address. When the session resumed, protesting MPs were escorted out by security before the President continued.