Friday
26th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
MDP
Major Political Shift in Maldives: Parliament Members Depart MDP, Announce Formation of New Party
Press conference held by Fikuregge Dhirun members. Photo: The Maldives Journal.
MALE, MALDIVES - In an unprecedented political shift, twelve parliament members loyal to President Nasheed have left the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) today. These members announced the formation of a new party named "Fikkuregge Dhirun" (Rebirth of an Ideology), in a press conference held today.
The name "Fikkuregge Dhirun" is not new to the political scene, as it was the campaign slogan used by President Nasheed in the MDP primary held earlier this year. Following Nasheed's loss in that election, he did not accept the results and instead initiated a movement under the same name.
Interestingly, Nasheed himself did not take part in today's press conference. However, his cousin and close confidant, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Eva Abdullah, was present. She announced that the new party will have a presidential candidate but did not disclose who that would be.
The formation of "Fikkuregge Dhirun" might result in a significant restructuring of the political landscape of the Maldives. If officially registered, the new party will become the minority party in the parliament, already boasting more members than the current opposition, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
During the press conference, the defecting members expressed their grievances against the current government and the MDP. They cited rampant corruption and a severe lack of transparency as primary issues. Moreover, they claimed that the MDP's core values were being sacrificed for President Solih, and accused him of exhibiting authoritarian behavior.
This departure and the formation of a new party could lead to intense political competition in the upcoming elections, with the rebirth of an ideology promising to shake up the political landscape of the Maldives. Whether this new party under President Nasheed's ideological umbrella will deliver on its promises of combating corruption and ensuring transparency remains to be seen.