Coalition parties undecided on how they will compete in presidential election

Although President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced his intention to run for a second term with the backing of the government coalition – political parties of the government coalition have stated that they remain undecided on how they will be competing in the upcoming presidential election.

Speaking to Sun, Adhaalath Party said that they have always believed one party alone cannot govern.

Adhaalath Party said that although previous coalitions to exist in the Maldives had failed – President Solih’s coalition has been extremely successful in governance. However, they stressed that no decision has been taken by the party regarding 2023’s election as of yet.

“We will decide in consideration of our members’ views and what would be the most beneficial from Maldivian citizens,” an official from Adhaalath Party had said.

Meanwhile, Maldives Reform Movement’s (MRM) Secretary Abdulla Aleem told Sun that they have also yet to make a decision on 2023’s election.

Jumhoory Party, that is also part of the coalition, said they intend to compete in the presidential election – however, have yet to decide whether it will be through the coalition or not.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, for the first time, announced plans to run for a second term at a press conference held on Wednesday evening – responding to a question posed by a journalist.

However, he stressed that it would be impossible for a single political party to win the presidential election alone, and that it would require a coalition.

“It would be impossible unless with the joint effort of multiple parties. I am confident I will win in 2023 with an MDP-led coalition,” he had said.