MDP: No discussions held with The Democrats

Fayyaz Ismail, the chairperson of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has denied any discussions have taken place with The Democrats.

Rumors surfaced that MDP and The Democrats were holding political discussions amid a controversial amendment to the parliament’s regulations which could make the process of impeaching the president and the vice president far more easier than at present. Many speculated that efforts were underway to impeach the new president.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in a strongly worded message on Saturday night to the opposition over the allegations, attributed actions intended to jeopardize a legitimate administration, with disregard for the nation, to treason against the Maldivian state and people.

MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz told Sun on Sunday that no discussions are ongoing with The Democrats.

However, The Democrats’ parliamentary group leader, Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim, speaking with Sun on Sunday, claimed political discussions were underway with MDP.

MP Azim, underscoring that continuous discussions are always held with political parties, said there no anger towards any party. He added that ties will not be severed with any political party.

Although he claimed discussions were underway, MP Azim did not specify what they were about.

He also refuted allegations of a possible attempt to impeach the president, citing he does not know how the topic came about.

The allegations was prompted by an amendment proposed by MP Azim which could make the process of impeaching the president and the vice president far more easier than at present.

Azim proposed amendments to articles 202 and 203 of the parliament’s regulations which are as follows;

• Giving 14-day notice of the motion to the president or the vice president within two days, and tabling the motion for the first working day after the expiration of the notice period
• Allocating a maximum of three hours for the debate on the impeachment motion
• Decreasing the number of members on the committee the motion needs to be forwarded to after the floor passes the impeachment motion from 11 to four
• Omitting the requirement that all political parties will need to be represented in the committee

Although the committee has approved the amendments, they are yet to be submitted to the floor.

If the amendments are approved, the president and the vice president can be easily impeached by MDP, which holds of the supermajority in the parliament.

The current composition of the parliament is as follows;

• MDP – 56 MPs
• The Democrats – 13 MPs
• PPM – 2 MPs
• PNC – 2 MPs
• Jumhoory Party – 2 MPs
• MDA – 2 MPs
• Independent – 2 MPs

Reasons an impeachment motion can be initiated against the president or the vice president are as follows;

• Violation of the tenet Islamic religion
• Violation of the constitution
• Misconduct unsuited to the office of the president or the vice president
• Incapacity in undertaking the responsibilities of the president or the vice president

No Maldivian president has been impeached to date. However, two vice presidents were impeached during PPM’s first administration.