Jumhooree Party Sends Coalition Invitation to Jailed Former Vice President

The Jumhooree Party (JP) has sent an invitation to the Third Way Democrats (MTD) to form a coalition ahead of the 2023 presidential election. The invitation was extended to the MTD on behalf of the JP by party leader Qasim Ibrahim in a letter, which also invited the MTD to work together to bring the country's affairs on the path of reform in a way that involves a large number of people.

The letter also invited the MTD to work with the JP in its responsibility to win the 2023 presidential election. However, when contacted for an official comment on the letter, JP Secretary General Ali Arif said the letter was returned to the MTD this morning.

In addition to the MTD, a few days ago, the opposition alliance PPM/PNC, MNP, Umar Naseer, and also extended an invitation to Mohammad Munawwar. However, the JP was told that none of them would form an alliance in the first round.

The move by the JP to form a coalition with the MTD is seen as an attempt to broaden its support base and strengthen its position ahead of the 2023 presidential election. The JP is one of the largest political parties in the Maldives and has been a significant player in the country's political landscape.

The MTD, on the other hand, is a relatively new political party, having been formed in 2021.