Speaker Nasheed to Pres. Solih: Referendum needed to change government system
Speaker Nasheed believes that a referendum is needed before the system of governance can be changed in Maldives
Speaker Nasheed after casting his vote in the Local Council and Women's Development Committee Elections
Former president and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated that the system of governance in Maldives can only be changed based on the results of a referendum.
In a message sent to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Speaker Nasheed had previously declared a wished to see the Maldives transition into a parliamentary system of governance, forgoing the present presidential system.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has since delivered a clear response to Speaker Nasheed's push for a parliamentary government. Spokesperson for the President's Office Mabrook Azeez confirmed President Solih's stance on the matter, noting that the system of governance had been chosen by Maldivian citizens, and that it could only be changed by the will of those citizens.
Speaker Nasheed posted a response on Twitter, stating that all conversations and efforts revolving around shifting systems would be centered around the vote of citizens.
In a message sent earlier, Speaker Nasheed had revealed to President Solih that he wished to have the Maldives transition into a parliamentary system of governance, and to forgo the 2021 Presidential Elections in favor of creating a new parliamentary government in the Maldives in February that year. Speaker Nasheed asked that a President be designated for the Maldives under the new government in the 2024 Parliamentary Elections.
Speaker Nasheed went on to express displeasure at being "side-lined" from leading the country, and revealed to President Solih that he would like to serve as Prime Minister for the new government.
