A heated debate has ensued at Wednesday’s sitting over an amendment bill to the Judges Act.

Speaker Qasim Ibrahim heard the bill at Wednesday’s sitting and immediately placed it for debate, prompting condemnation from MPs of the main ruling party.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla said that even if the current parliament fast-tracks and passes the bill, the MPs of the next parliament term will make the necessary amendments.

MDP’s parliamentary group leader Mohamed Aslam accused the speaker of having ulterior motives for pushing the bill near the end of the current term.

In response, Dhangethi MP Ilham Ahmed said that they were only fulfilling their parliamentary responsibilities and are not intimidated by any action to be taken by the future MPs. He also claimed that the purpose of the government-proposed bills is to execute some form of revenge.

Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed also criticized the government and accused President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of neglecting his pledges.

Many members of the opposition coalition expressed support for the bill and criticized the government and the main ruling party, with MP Abdul Raheem accusing MDP of 'stealing seats' in the last election.