On Wednesday night, the National Council of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) approved a resolution granting President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming elections, the authority to form coalitions.
The meeting was held at Izzudheen School to discuss the formation of coalitions by the MDP, with 85 members attending. The resolution was presented by Kinbidhoo MP Ahmed Nashiz, who serves as President Solih’s campaign manager. The council members voted in favor of the resolution, with 81 members supporting it, and four members abstaining from voting.
The resolution allows President Solih to form and execute coalition agreements with a political party, leader, or movement under favorable circumstances. This resolution provides President Solih with a powerful tool to engage in coalition-building and to expand his base of support ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
Coalition-building is a critical strategy in the Maldives, given the country’s parliamentary system, in which the winning party must be able to form a coalition government to secure a working majority. By granting President Solih the authority to form coalitions, the MDP is providing him with the tools he needs to build broad-based support and secure a victory in the upcoming elections. This resolution is an important step in the MDP’s electoral strategy, and it will likely shape the dynamics of the upcoming presidential campaign.