MDP stages mass rally demanding Pres. Muizzu’s immediate resignation

The largest opposition party in the Maldives, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has staged a massive rally calling for the immediate resignation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

MDP’s mass rally kicked off at around 8:20pm on Friday with hundreds of participants. The protest was planned as a march through some of the main streets of the capital Malé City.

Many senior MDP figures participated in the protest, including the party's president, vice president, and chairperson, as well as former and current MDP members of parliament.

As the protest began, MDP President Abdulla Shahid said that the people of Maldives have had enough and are now asking to step back without violence. He also urged on President Muizzu to resign immediately.

This was the first protest held by MDP during President Muizzu's administration. The party said that they staged the mass rally because the government is trying to change the constitution, restricting freedom of expression, and has been controlling the People’s Majlis. They also claimed that the incumbent administration has been engaging in other authoritarian practices.

President Muizzu's government in November 2024 amended the constitution within just 24 hours, stipulating that if a member of parliament representing a party is expelled from the party, they will lose their parliamentary seat.

The march organized under the name 'Fudhijje-Fundijje', which roughly translated means "enough is enough", was a protest against President Muizzu's sudden amendment to the constitution, which has concentrated all powers in his hands.

As President Muizzu's government continues to disrupt the system of separation of powers, the country is losing its democratic features and moving towards an autocratic rule, which is churning public frustration.

The march, which was aimed at making the voice of the people heard by the government, was described by many as an event that mirrored MDP's usual bold "style".