MDP authorizes President Solih to form coalitions

Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) National Council, on Wednesday night, approved a resolution to grant the authority to form coalitions to the party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The National Council held a meeting at Izzudheen School tonight regarding the formation of coalitions by MDP. Out of the 85 members that attended the meeting, 81 voted in favor of forming coalitions. The remaining four members had abstained from voting.

The resolution was presented at tonight’s meeting by President Solih’s campaign manager, Kinbidhoo MP Ahmed Nashiz.

“MDP’s National Council resolves to grant the authority to the party’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to form and execute coalition agreements with a political party, a political leader, or a leader of a political movement, under circumstances deemed favorable,” he read the resolution.

Tonight’s National Council meeting was boycotted by members who support MDP’s leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed. They include;

• North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
• Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
• Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim
• West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
• North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy
• Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
• Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef

MDP is presently divided into two factions; one which comprises of supporters of President Solih while the other comprises of supporters of Nasheed. The recently held presidential primary of the party, where both President Solih and Nasheed competed for the party’s presidential ticket, deepened the internal divide even further.

Nasheed’s faction, following the conclusion of the primary, has been advocating for the formation of a new wing of the party called ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’.