Former Maldivian President and current Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed announced his resignation from the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Wednesday. Nasheed shared the news via a tweet and attached his resignation letter, stating that he believed leaving the party was the most appropriate action at this time.
In a press conference held at the parliament on Monday, Nasheed expressed the difficulties he faced within the MDP and revealed his intention to lead his supporters to a new political party called “The Democrats” upon his departure from MDP.
Nasheed had played a prominent role in the establishment of the MDP and remained its most popular member until President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih secured the party’s presidential nomination for the 2018 election. Following President Solih’s victory, Nasheed’s influence within the party diminished.
Disagreements between Nasheed, his supporters, and pro-government MDP members have been escalating throughout this year, culminating in a significant number of Nasheed’s supporters defecting from the party in May. Subsequently, they initiated efforts to form a new political party, “The Democrats.”
During this exodus, Mohamed Shifaz, the former deputy leader of MDP, also submitted his resignation. As a result, MDP is currently without a leader or deputy leader.
