The opposition coalition will stand the pressure of government and will last, says Jumhooree Party president Ali Waheed.

Waheed, who returned to the Maldives recently after living in self-imposed exile, said that president-elect Ibrahim Solih is entirely capable of keeping the coalition together.

“President Solih is not a man that can be influenced or swayed easily, not even by his own party and our partners”, Waheed said.

In reference to reports of rivalry between the Jumhooree Party and the Maldivian Democratic Party, to which president-elect Solih belongs, Waheed said that the coalition has thus far maintained a healthy relationship.

“Relations between our parties have been healthy, we do not intend to struggle against one another but work for the betterment of our country”, Waheed further said.

However, Waheed acknowledged that there are differences in the parties’ ideologies but maintained that there intent to develop the Maldives and ensure democratic mechanisms are put in place is greater than any ideological difference.