Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed has revealed that the opposition will be given the opportunity to respond to the presidential address, during the parliament’s sitting scheduled for 24 February.

Speaking at Wednesday’s sitting, the speaker stated that the Minority Leader, MP for Eydhafushi constituency, Ahmed Saleem had requested for the opposition’s response to be heard during Monday’s sitting.

Saleem, the leader of the opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM)’s Parliamentary Group, will be delivering the opposition’s response to the presidential address, as the minority leader of the parliament.

Nasheed asserted that parliament regulations clearly state that the speaker must present the opportunity for the minority leader once requested, to present the opposition’s response to this year’s presidential address.

Nasheed stated that arrangements will be made to present the statement after calling out the names of all 65 members representing the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), adding that the parliament remains in hope that the statement delivered by the opposition in response to the presidential address, is one that has sense to it.

Opposition members had gathered for a meeting to discuss creating a response for this year’s presidential address, this week.

The People’s Majlis comprises of 65 members representing the main ruling MDP, six members representing opposition PPM, five members representing Jumhooree Party (JP), two members from Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), three members of opposition coalition party People’s National Congress (PNC) and six independent members.