Nasheed-Qasim meet for coalition discussions

Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed met with Jumhoory Party’s (JP) leader and presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim at Villa Park resort for coalition discussions.

Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde) confirmed to Sun that the two party leaders met on Friday evening where they discussed forming a coalition agreement.

Bonde, gave no further details of the discussions, however, described it had gone extremely well.

The meeting comes after West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef, on Thursday night, remarked that Nasheed and his ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction are with JP’s leader and presidential candidate Qasim at a press briefing.

The press briefing was held at JP’s headquarters, M. Kunooz, after the third round of meetings between Nasheed’s faction and JP.

Neither of the three meetings had been attended personally by Nasheed nor Qasim. All three meetings had been attended by representatives of both party leaders.

Therewith, Friday’s meeting is the first meeting between Nasheed and Qasim regarding forming a coalition.

Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction has refused to back MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the election.