President: Faced major challenges from Parliament, but we served the people

This administration has been facing major challenges from the Parliament and from the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) since the beginning, states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He made the comment during a campaign event in N. Kendhikulhudhoo on Saturday.

“This administration has faced challenges from the Parliament and from opposition PPM since the beginning,” he said.

President Solih said his administration has provided greater service to the people than any other administration during a five-year term, despite the challenges.

He said he managed to continue serving the people by exercising patience in face of the challenges.

President Solih said he decided to contest in Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s presidential primary because he wanted to continue serving the people, and because he believes it’s the only way MDP can maintain power.

“Its true. MDP is a huge party. We can sometimes take 48 percent or 49 percent of votes. But we need 50 percent of votes to come to power. MDP has yet to achieve this,” he said.

President Solih said that he therefore believes a coalition is required to win the upcoming presidential election.

He travelled to N. Atoll on Saturday after concluding campaign stops in R. Atoll.

Both President Solih and his contender – MDP leader and Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed have begun campaign tours of islands.

Nasheed is currently touring islands in ADh. Atoll.

MDP is set to hold its presidential primary on January 28.