President discusses JP situation with MPs

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has held discussions regarding the decision by the current coalition partner Jumhoory Party (JP) to support its own candidate for the upcoming presidential election, with MPs from the main ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and other pro-government MPs.

Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifau told Sun on Saturday that the meeting took place at Muliaage last Wednesday evening.

50 MPs attended the meeting, according to Shifau.

Shifau said the President held the meeting to discuss the response to decisions by other parties regarding the election, and to plan his campaign.

“We advised the President regarding how to respond to the decisions of other parties. And election preparations,” he said.

The meeting came after JP, the second largest party in the coalition government after MDP, decided earlier this week that it will not support President Solih’s re-election and will run independently instead. The party has opened candidacy for its presidential primary.

The decision was a blow to President Solih, who intends face the election with a large coalition.