Maldives political turmoil worsens as Opposition MDP prepares to impeach President

New Delhi, Jan 29: In the Maldives, the primary opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which commands a majority in the Parliament, has collected the requisite signatures to propose an impeachment motion against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, according to local media reports.

A representative from MDP confirmed with a leading Maldivian newspaper Sun that the party, in collaboration with the Democrats, has secured enough support for the motion, though it has not yet been formally submitted.

The Parliament recently revised its rules to simplify the process of introducing an impeachment motion. The combined strength of Opposition political parties, MDP and the Democrats in the Parliament is 56 members, with MDP having 43 and the Democrats 13. The nation’s constitution and parliamentary procedures stipulate that a minimum of 56 votes are needed to impeach the president. Majlis or Parliament has 87 Parliamentarians and the elections for the same are taking place on March 17.

This development follows closely on the heels of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives - People’s National Congress (PPM-PNC)’s move to initiate no-confidence votes against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, both of whom are MDP members. These motions were backed by 23 legislators.

The political landscape in the Maldives has been turbulent since MDP decided to issue a strict directive to oppose the confirmation of four of President Muizzu’s cabinet appointees: Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, Housing Minister Dr Ali Haidar, and Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

The situation escalated on Sunday when pro-government MPs disrupted the parliamentary session that was scheduled to vote on the new cabinet members.

This directive, issued just before a planned vote on the cabinet, led to heightened tensions and physical confrontations between members of the government and the opposition in the Parliament, as well as outside where pro-government demonstrators had gathered. MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem sustained injuries during these clashes.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu formally requested cabinet approval on November 20, shortly after the new administration commenced. The Parliament was set to vote on this matter on December 18, but the initial report by the Government Oversight Committee was not accepted.

The long-awaited vote finally occurred on Monday afternoon, with the Parliament rejecting the nominations of Haidar, Shaheem, and Usham. Haidar was declined with a vote of 46-24, Usham with 44-24, and Shaheem with 31-30, along with eight abstentions.

In a turn of events, Saeed managed to secure approval with a vote of 37-32. The rest of the cabinet, including Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Home Minister Ali Ihusan, were approved. These developments come ahead of the Parliamentary elections scheduled for March 17 in the Maldives.