The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has obtained enough signatures to submit an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu. The motion was disrupted due to chaos in parliament. The MDP has also threatened to deny approval to the home and defense ministers if disruptions continue. Following a fight between political leaders in parliament, heavy police security has been deployed.
The Maldivian Democratic Party, which has 42 seats in the 80-member Majlis, appears to have joined forces with the Democrats a breakaway faction with 13 seats, against the ruling People’s National Congress; Opposition says Muizzu is ‘alienating’ the country’s ‘most long-standing ally’ India.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the country’s main Opposition party holding a parliamentary majority, is preparing to submit an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu in Parliament, stepping up its challenge to the Executive in the legislature.
The development coincides with a showdown between Male and New Delhi, in the wake of derogatory remarks made by Maldivian Ministers, a shrill “Boycott Maldives” call on Indian social media, and President Muizzu issuing a March 15 deadline to New Delhi, for the removal of Indian troops.
On what prompted the move for an impeachment motion, less than three months after President Muizzu was sworn in, the Opposition politician pointed to “two primary reasons”.
In an indication of the two sides finding common cause, the MDP and The Democrats recently issued a joint statement slamming President Muizzu for “alienating” the Maldives’s “most long-standing ally”. Meanwhile, at least 12 MPs from the MDP have crossed over to the ruling People’s National Congress, boosting its presence in the legislature to 16 MPs, Maldivian news portal Avas reported on Sunday.
With parliamentary elections scheduled for March 17, President Muizzu has a crucial test ahead. Without adequate parliament backing, he will not be able to pass legislation or implement policies. Mr. Muizzu’s position has further weakened politically, after his former boss, President Yameen, split from the ruling party to form his own, reflecting a rather fragmented Maldivian polity.
The MDP’s parliamentary primaries are scheduled to be held on February 3. “We will decide the date of submission of the [impeachment] motion against the President once the primaries are over,” Mr. Hussein said.
“We cannot change our geography, we cannot bring China closer to us. India is our closest neighbour, friend, and family. Whether it’s about sourcing food or medicines, we cannot do without India. We live in peace because of India’s neighbourhood first policy,” he added.
This comes a day after clashes broke out in Parliament between the pro-government MPs and opposition leaders on differences over the approval of four members of the pro-China President's cabinet.
The MDP, in collaboration with the Democrats, has obtained the support of 34 members, including representatives from both parties. The motion for impeachment was disrupted yesterday due to chaos in the Maldivian
The ruling coalition parties, the PNC and the PPP, released a statement expressing concern over the refusal to approve the ministers, stating that it hampers the delivery of public services. However, Chief Advisor to Muizzu and PNC Chairman Abdul Raheem Abdullah criticized the refusal as irresponsible. Recently, two opposition parties, the MDP and the Democrats, criticized the current regime's anti-India pivot, deeming it detrimental to the country's long-term development.