Tuesday
31st Dec 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Qasim, Nasheed and Nazim speaking to the press. Photo: TMJ
MALE, Maldives - In a startling development in Maldivian politics, the leaders of three major political parties - Jumhoory Party (JP), Maldives National Party (MNP), and Democrats Party - have agreed to support a unified candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections.
JP's leader Qasim Ibrahim, MNP’s leader Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, and former President Mohamed Nasheed, now de facto leader of the nascent Democrats Party, made the announcement in a joint press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
"We have a formula for all of us to produce one candidate for the presidential race," declared Qasim Ibrahim, initiating the briefing with the momentous revelation.
Qasim stated that the alliance intends to reach out to the main opposition party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), led by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. According to Qasim, all three leaders from JP, MNP, and the Democrats have agreed on this outreach.
"We all want to back one candidate in the presidential election," reiterated Qasim, emphasizing the unprecedented unity among these diverse political factions.
This agreement marks a turning point in the country's political landscape. The leaders expressed their hope to see all opposition parties coalesce against the incumbent administration, signaling a significant shift in strategy aimed at consolidating the opposition's influence and power.