Parliament’s second session concluded as MDP MP begged for extension

The last sitting of the second session of the parliament for the year concluded on Thursday morning as main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s lawmakers begged to extend the session in order to constitute the standing committees for the parliament.

Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla have recused themselves from presiding over sittings at the face of no-confidence motions submitted against them by MDP. The parliament fell into a deadlock subsequently. Nasheed, after days, presided over a sitting on Thursday morning.

The agenda for sitting was the debate on determining the percentage of representation of political parties and independent members on permanent parliamentary committees.

Therewith, the parliament’s majority leader and MDP’s parliamentary group leader MP Mohamed Aslam requested to extend the session in order to complete this work. MDP lawmakers who spoke at Thursday’s sitting reiterated this request.

Nasheed, citing an extension requires to be proposed by the chair, refused to extend the session. He urged the lawmakers to respect the agenda.

“Members should respect the parliament’s agenda. Should not talk in violation of the agenda. Should not propose matters outside of agenda either,” he said.

After two hours of debate in accordance with the agenda, Nasheed announced the conclusion of the second session of the parliament and broke for recess.

At the onset of the parliament’s deadlock, Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef had filled in for three consecutive days – the maximum allowed under the Parliament’s standing orders. No sittings have been held since then until today.