Several MDP MPs to join PNC, major rally slated for tomorrow

Several lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have decided to join main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

A senior member from MDP’s parliamentary group confirmed to Sun that “several” lawmakers from the party have decided to join PNC, adding it was likely for the members to officially sign for the main ruling party at a major rally slated for tomorrow.

A senior official from PNC told Sun that 12 MDP lawmakers will be signing for the party, without disclosing the identity of the lawmakers.

PNC’s coalition partner, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in a post on X Wednesday night, said the coalition’s leader, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will be attending Thursday night’s rally which will be held at 8:15pm at Dharubaaruge.

Sun has learned that the MDP lawmakers are switching to the main ruling party over various reasons. They include MDP’s ticket for some constituencies for next year’s parliamentary election being awarded without a primary and the party informing members that they will not be funding members contesting the election which sparked anger among some members.

A lawmaker from MDP told Sun that some lawmakers from the party were switching to PNC to secure employment in the government.

MDP which started the 19^th parliament with a supermajority at 65 lawmakers now only has 56 lawmakers. If six lawmakers were to leave the party, the number would drop to 50. If 12 lawmakers were to leave the party, the number would drop to 44.

At present, there are two PNC lawmakers in the parliament. If six members were to join the party, the number would increase to 14. If 12 members were to join the party, the number would increase to 18.

Some MDP lawmakers have left the party at a time the party has threatened against granting approval to cabinet ministers of the new administration and a new amendment to parliament’s regulation has been passed that will allow the votes of MDP lawmakers alone to impeach the president or the vice president.

The amendments dictate that the total number of members of the parliament should be calculated based on the total number of members and not seats – which places the total number of members of the parliament at present at 80.

As per the constitution, two-thirds of the parliament must vote in favor is required to impeach the president or vice president. This means the votes of 53 lawmakers are required to pass an impeachment motion.

The loss of the lawmakers will take this power away from the party.