President's Office said that Jumhooree Party (JP) members appointed to political positions have the opportunity to work with the current administration should they wish it, even though they are part of a party that is actively contesting in the presidential election this year.
Since JP has announced they will also be fielding a candidate for the election, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had said that it would be difficult for two contesting members to remain in the same coalition.
President Solih had won Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) internal primary election and is running for a second presidential term. JP's council had appointed their leader and Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim as their presidential candidate. Qasim remains a leader in the current coalition administration even though JP has started initiated his presidential campaign.
JP had declined MDP's invitation for an alliance with MDP for a second term a day before he accepted the the party's presidential ticket. However, the government is yet to have any plans to remove JP members in political positions.
President Solih's spokesperson, Miuvaan Mohamed, highlighted that President Solih has acknowledged the challenges of having two presidential candidates in the same coalition. However, he also noted that Qasim continues to hold a leadership position within the coalition.
"No one has yet informed us regarding their exit from the coalition. If they are willing to work with the government, they will have the opportunity, even within the JP slot," Miuvaan said.
"If anyone in political positions obstructs the implementation of policies or the provision of services, we will take appropriate action. However, there is no government decision at this stage," he said.
JP has been allocated 25 percent of the total political positions, including cabinet positions in the coalition, which comprises Jumhooree Party, Adhaalath, and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's Maldives Reform Movement (MRM). However, JP has expressed concern that the posts are not being distributed in accordance with the agreement.
Although Qasim initially stated that those appointed to political positions by JP should be dismissed if they criticize or hinder the government, he has since changed his stance and now advocates for the alliance to continue until the end of the term. Qasim insists that no one should be removed from their posts.
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