Ex-President Maumoon still waiting for an invite to coalition leadership meeting
The coalition leaders had, back in November, agreed to meet at least once a month
Coalition leaders speak to the press after a meeting at MDP office in November 2018
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has on Thursday said that he is still waiting for an invitation to coalition leadership meeting.
While the coalition leaders had, back in November, agreed to meet at least once a month, they have failed to do so in January, and there has been reports that the coalition is on the verge of collapsing.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Maumoon revealed that he is still waiting for the invite to the monthly meeting.
He added that he has questioned President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih “numerous times” regarding the matter, and emphasized that “the president is working to hold the meeting as well.”
President Solih had, last Thursday, stated that the meeting will be held after his return from Laamu atoll that weekend. However, while the work week and the month ends today, they have failed to hold this month’s meeting.
In addition, President Solih will depart to Sri Lanka on an official visit on Sunday, further delaying a meeting.
The current ruling coalition comprises of, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), Adhaalath Party (AP) and the Maumoon Reform Movement (MRM)- which Maumoon on Thursday announced that will be turned into a political party and renamed as Maldives Reform Movement.
Two coalition partners are currently involved in a dispute, with JP leader Qasim Ibrahim accusing MDP of sidelining the party and announcing plans to form a coalition with “other parties” for April’s parliamentary elections.
It all started after MDP decided to compete in all 87 constituencies in the election, while JP claims that the coalition partners had agreed to “distribute” the parliament seats. MDP denies that such an agreement ever existed.
Last week, reports also surfaced that the Jumhooree Party was planning to impeach President Solih through parliament. However, Qasim, who is also the current parliament speaker, was quick to deny this.
In addition, a JP aligned lawmaker has proposed a constitutional amendment that will bar former presidents from contesting in parliament, a move which MDP describes as a direct attack on its leader.
President Solih has announced that he will not ratify such an amendment that will deprive anyone of their rights, even if passed through parliament.
