Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef has said that while the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives and People's National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition has not officially taken a decision on the no-confidence motion against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Mohamed Nasheed from his post as Speaker of Parliament, MP's representing the coalition are against his removal.
The no-confidence motion on Speaker Nasheed was submitted during Wednesday's parliamentary session with the endorsement of 54 parliamentarians.
Speaking on the matter, MP Shareef, who is also the Vice President of PNC, said that it was only during Nasheed’s presidency that the minority received a voice amid the country’s lengthy parliamentary history.
“Even in foreign sovereigns, legislative bodies often provide a platform for the minority to have a voice in decision-making, and Nasheed's presidency exemplified this,” Shareef said.
Shareef further praised Nasheed claiming that the Speaker continued to uphold order in the parliament while resolving various conflicts, and he maintained this conduct before the ruling party split as well.
“Nasheed’s dismissal will create a significant void in the parliamentary history of the Maldives,” Shareef added.
While MDP has submitted a no-confidence against Nasheed, the party had earlier submitted a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker and North-Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla, which Shareef described as a “sad” affair.
“Eva maintained professional conduct as the chair of the parliament back when an assassination attempt was made on Nasheed, and she concluded key works within the 241 Committee as well,” Shareef said.
"I consider this action as yet another self-serving move by MDP," said Shareef, as he strongly criticized the attempts to remove Eva from a parliament already grappling with a shortage of female representation.
In the motion submitted by MDP, the party claimed that Nasheed was appointed as the Speaker with majority votes to achieve the objectives of the constituents. However, the party believes that if Nasheed continues to remain as the Speaker, parliament will lose its integrity and have no room for any legislative decision-making.
Members of the ruling party stated that they have lost trust in Nasheed's ability to fulfill his responsibilities.
While 50 MDP members signed the motion, members that did not sign include South-Kulhudhuffushi MP Jamsheed, Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem, Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed, and Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj.
Besides MDP members, members not aligned with the party who signed on the motion include Dhaalu atoll Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam, Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, and Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseer.
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