Yameen: No issues with Siyam, will form coalition if necessary

Underscoring that he has no issues with Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)’s president, Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed – Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has stated that he is ready to form a coalition with the party if necessary.

At the first press conference held by Yameen following his acquittal from a money laundering conviction last November – he had hinted of intention to form a coalition with additional political parties for the presidential election scheduled for next year,

During the press conference – a journalist had posed a question to Yameen inquiring about the possibilities of forming a coalition with MDA, the only party to remain in the government’s coalition from beginning to end during PPM’s administration. Responding to the question – Yameen said that if circumstances dictate that a coalition needs to be formed with MDA, it would be decided by the party’s senate.

“Siyam is my close acquaintance. So if circumstances dictate forming a coalition – we will not rule out MDA. If a coalition needs to be formed – it would be decided by the two parties’ senates,” he had said.

Underscoring that Siyam is his close friend – Yameen said that a coalition was not formed for 2018’s election as MDA did not wish to do so. He added that a coalition had not been formed between two parties since then.

“Siyam is my very personal close friend. Therewith, I have no objections regarding the matter,” he had said.

Although a coalition has not been formed with MDA at the moment – Yameen said that chances of forming a coalition for the second round of the election are extremely high.

“When the first round of the election ends, and it comes to the stage where a coalition needs to be formed,” he had said.