Solih vows return of council powers under future MDP gov’t

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared that the now-main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will return to power in the next government, vowing to restore the full powers of local councils that were previously rolled back.

Solih said this while speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate some development projects completed by the council in Magoodhoo island of Faafu atoll.

Solih said that the government of incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is working with only one goal, and that the government wants to enslave the people.

Taking the podium at the ceremony, the former president said that establishing water and sewerage systems across the islands is the most basic service. He said that his government had given great importance to this work and had even completed it.

Solih stressed that however, the current government has stopped the work that needs to be done in the islands and is not carrying out development projects. Shedding light on this, he noted that what the current government is doing to win the 2028 presidential election is working to enslave the people.

He stated that, after subjecting the public to hardship, the government is now attempting to win favor by offering minimal financial relief, an act he described as an attempt to "enslave" the people. He added that this tactic will become evident in the upcoming local council elections.

Speaking at the ceremony, Solih reaffirmed that a future government led by the Maldivian Democratic Party would complete the Magoodhoo Airport project in line with the wishes of the island’s residents.

He noted that funding for the project had been secured during his administration, but claimed the current government has redirected those funds for other purposes.

Solih further criticized successive non-MDP administrations for altering the Decentralization Act, alleging that such changes reflect a reluctance to empower local councils.

Despite recent amendments to the Decentralization Act under President Muizzu’s administration, Solih has pledged that a future MDP government will restore the powers previously held by local councils. He emphasized the significance of promoting a decentralized governance system and prioritizing close collaboration with communities.

Solih also highlighted that while his administration initiated and made significant progress on the Magoodhoo Airport project, the development has since stalled under the current government.