Maldives' ruling coalition 'hanging by thread'

Minutes after hinting that main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had split up the ruling coalition's joint parliamentary group, coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP) has announced the decision to work together with other parties in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Party leader Qasim Ibrahim, via twitter, accused MDP of throwing JP “out onto the street again” after winning presidency; then-opposition coalition had chosen to support MDP’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in last year’s presidential election, who went on to win against former President Abdulla Yameen.

Further noting that JP has been “forced to beg,” Qasim said that the party is prepared to work together with other parties in April’s parliamentary elections.

While neither Qasim nor JP has released any further details on the matter, RaajjeMV understands that a representative of his had recently met with a representative of former President Yameen.

According to Qasim, an issue arose within the ruling coalition after MDP made the decision to compete in all 87 constituencies in the parliamentary elections, despite the coalition 'agreeing to compete in areas agreed by the ruling coalition.'

While Nasheed had proposed the coalition's decision at MDP’s 169th national council meeting in Decembers, members spoke against the decision and the party ultimately decided against it.