Fikuregge Dhirun confirmed to contest the presidential elections

It has been announced that the new political party spearheaded by Parliament Speaker, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader Mohamed Nasheed will produce a candidate for the presidential elections slated for September 9th.

The new party will be named ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’; the same name given to the separate political movement initiated within MDP by Nasheed following his loss in the party’s presidential primary back in January. All lawmakers from ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday as they pursue the formation of a new political party.

Speaking at a press conference held to announce the new political party on Wednesday evening – Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb confirmed that Fikuregge Dhirun will produce a candidate for this year’s presidential candidate. He further stated that the party will hold discussions with other political parties they can collaborate with for the elections.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

• Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
• Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
• North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
• West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
• Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
• North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
• Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
• Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
• Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
• Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
• North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
• Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir

All 12 members are Nasheed loyalists.

Nevertheless, Nasheed, himself, has yet to resign from MDP.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament. 

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.