Majlis not working on any dismissal motions related to cabinet ministers: speaker

There are no impeachment motions against any cabinet ministers at the People’s Majlis currently, says speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

Nasheed revealed this at a press conference held on Wednesday night, following an inquiry by a reporter over reports that the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was working on an impeachment motion against Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail; the speaker and former president is the leader of MDP.

He responded that the parliament is yet to conduct any such work, but said that MDP continues to have internal discussions on such matters.

While the speaker was also questioned on whether President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made any attempts to halt the possible dismissal motion against Fayyaz, he denied it.

Nasheed said that he had Solih do not give each other such instructions.

He further noted that MDP remains committed to its work against tyranny and corruption.

While Nasheed said this, there have been corruption allegations against the incumbent economic minister. Fayyaz has denied the accusations.

Article 101 (a) of the Maldivian Constitution states that “a motion expressing want of confidence in a member of the Cabinet may be moved in the People’s Majlis, under the hand of at least ten members, specifying the reasons”, and clause (b) states that the ministers in question must be provided a 14-day period to respond.

A majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis is required for the motion to pass.