DRP and JP to sign an agreement to cooperate in parliament

Mr. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, the leader of the main opposition party, Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), has said lastnight that negotiations have been going on between his party and the Jumhooree Party (JP), about signing an agreement of cooperation in the People’s Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament).

Speaking in the VTV “Khabaru There’in” program, Thasmeen, who also heads the DRP Parliamentary Group, said that if the opposition keeps on loosing seats in the Majilis, they are willing to cooperate with small parties. He said that such a decision should be made, however, only after necessary decisions from the councils of both parties and formal procedures.

Thasmeen said that as a minority leader in parliament, he was also concerned about smaller parties, and that he would not let the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which currently holds the most number of seats in the Majlis, to do everything their way. He said that this stand was adopted in order to protect the interests of minority parties and also national interest.

He also said that in order to make the government accountable, opposition needed to control some of the most significant committees of the Majlis, but he expressed concern that this goal might not be achieved fully.

Speaking on behalf of the Jumhooree Party, Mr. Moosa Rameez, the party’s Spokesperson, said that the Parliamentary Group of the Party had full authority to take any action, or make any decisions in the interests of the party.

If Jumhooree Party joins DRP, the opposition coalition would secure 35 seats, surpassing the 34-seat majority held by the ruling MDP.