President Waheed wants to build a coalition before facing elections: Abbas

Gaumee Ithihaad Party (GIP) has said that President Dr. Waheed Hassan Manik wishes to compete in the upcoming presidential elections on GIP ticket, and that he plans to compete after building coalitions with a number of parties. The party said that they are currently working of formulating the coalitions.

GIP spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza said that after discussions, some of the parties have signaled that they are willing to participate in the coalition.

“We are trying to formulate coalitions with other parties that support Dr. Waheed, before he comes out to compete. A lot of people in the islands want to bring him to the presidency… we have had signs from some parties that they are will support him and join through a coalition. We want to build coalitions with as many parties as possible, and then face the elections,” Abbas said.

A senior official from GIP has said that Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) and Adhaalath Party (AP) are to be seen along with GIP this year. Dr. Hassan Saeed’s DQP won third most number of voted during the first round of presidential elections in 2008. Adhaalath Party made coalitions with Jumhooree Party (JP) in the first round, and then with Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the second round during the 2008 presidential elections.