MDP sends letter to Majlis, indicating it should not have to respond to presidential address

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that this year’s opening session of the Parliament was not legitimate and that they should not have to respond to the address delivered by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

A letter sent by MDP Parliamentary Group to Speaker of Majlis Abdulla Shahid says that the events of the opening session of the Parliament on 19 March were entirely against the country’s constitution and parliament regulation.

The letter further says that MDP Parliamentary Group is of the opinion that the elected ruling party of the Maldives is still MDP, and that MDP should not have to respond to the presidential address, and that any bill to be submitted to the parliament by the government should go through MDP.

Moreover, former President Mohamed Nasheed was forced to resign following a coup, and President Dr Mohamed Waheed assumed the post of President at a time when several questions surrounded the entire development of events.

Parliament is scheduled to commence sessions on Monday.