PPM names Yameen as candidate for 2023 presidential elections

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s senate has named the party’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), the leader of PPM’s coalition partner People’s National Congress (PNC), announced in a tweet Sunday evening that Yameen had agreed to run in the elections in accordance with the senate’s decision.

Yameen had previously dodged questions from reporters regarding whether he planned on running in the 2023 elections.

In a press conference earlier this year, Yameen said he had many other things he was interested in and prioritized, ahead of thinking about the upcoming elections.

Yameen is currently on trial on money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah and R. Fuggiri during his administration.

He will not qualify for the elections if he is convicted.

Sentencing in Aarah trial is scheduled for September.