MDP says that although they had initially intended to approve the majority of cabinet members, yesterday's events may lead to some MPs changing their stance on the matter.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Parliamentary Group (PG) has announced in a press conference last night that although the party had initially intended to vote for the approval of most cabinet ministers, many of their MPs were now of a different mindset following the events that occurred in parliament yesterday.
Although attempts were made to conduct the sitting on cabinet approval multiple times yesterday, it could not be proceeded owing to disruptions and altercations between MPs from both sides.
Speaking at last night's press conference, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem described events of yesterday as "a black day in the country's history of constitutional conventions".
Saleem said that while the work of the parliament should not face interference from any outside sources, yesterday's events make it evident that powerful persons had influenced the proceedings.
The Deputy Speaker went on to say that as cabinet approval is a mandate of the parliament, MPs have the prerogative to decide how they will vote on the matter. He asserted that in this light, MDP's whip issued regarding the matter is a an independent decision of the party, and efforts to unduly influence this decision is in contravention of the law.
He remains unaware of the reasoning behind halting the parliament sittings yesterday, he said, asserting that MDP is ready to act in the matter of granting approval to the cabinet in the manner outlined in the law.
Parliament's Government Oversight Committee has previously passed a decision to approve all members of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet. Saleem claims that the committee had only researched whether the appointees met the legal requirements to fill the positions. He stated that the committee's decision is not final, and is open for discussion on the parliament floor.
Saleem said that at first, members had been of the inclination to grant approval to most cabinet ministers.
"However, all that has happened has resulted in members' changing their minds. I feel they are in different spirits now," Saleem said.
Velidhoo constituency MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq alleged that government aligned MPs would not allow yesterday's sitting to proceed, saying that at the end of parliament proceedings, the MPs had gone to the President's Office.
MDP PG Leader Mohamed Rasheed Hussain (Bigey) said that although MDP is facing several accusations regarding the delays in granting cabinet approval, the matter is in reality being delayed through the actions of pro government members of parliament.
A parliament sitting has been once again scheduled for 11:00 hrs today, to vote on the parliamentary approval of cabinet members.
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