Ali Azim, the newly elected Central Henveiru MP, has expressed interest in becoming speaker or deputy speaker in the 19th parliament.
Azim said this on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee show on Thursday night, when asked which MP would be most qualified for the position of speaker.
Azim said that, as an MP serving his third term, he is qualified for the positions, but that his party will be making such decisions after discussing it with all the members.
North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla has also said that she is willing to be the deputy speaker if given the opportunity.
After Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) received supermajority in the election, party leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed said he has no interest in becoming speaker but that North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam is qualified for the position.
Abdulla Jabir, who won the Kaashidhoo seat, has also expressed interest in becoming speaker and said he will accept the position if President Solih asks him. While Jabir ran as an independent after losing in the MDP primary election, he said that he is still a member of the party.
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef has also expressed interest in the position of speaker.
