MDP-Adaalath discuss unified efforts for 2024 parliament election

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced that it is in discussions with the Adaalath Party to launch unified efforts to field candidates in the parliamentary selection scheduled for early 2024.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 5, MDP confirmed holding discussions with the Adaalath Party for collaborative efforts in the election. The party also added that prospective meetings would be held to identify potential areas where mutual cooperation can be applied.

Adaalath has been a consistent coalition partner of MDP since 2015. The party retained its coalition position until the end of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration.

The party also endorsed Solih and MDP for the 2023 presidential election as well, while it was the only coalition partner of the former ruling party by the election's run-off.

During the 2019 parliamentary election, Adaalath had discussed with MDP for a possible collaboration. However, this did not materialize due to MDP's decision to field its candidates in all constituencies.

Adaalath Party, however, endorsed some of the MDP candidates for the parliamentary election and played an integral part in their campaigning as well. The party's President, Imran Abdulla, directly endorsed the MDP candidate contending for Faresmaathoda constituency in the 2019 parliamentary election.

MDP withdrew the name of its candidate for Mahibadhoo constituency, in favor of extending it to Adaalath Party. However, the party failed to secure any constituencies in the election with MDP retaining the parliament's super-majority.

Meanwhile, the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has decided to join hands with its coalition partner, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), for the parliamentary election as well.

The party had also discussed with both Maldives National Party (MNP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) to form coalition for the upcoming election as well.

However, former President Abdulla Yameen who was the leader of PPM, had exited the party recently and formed the People's National Front (PNF). The new party is currently attempting to field its own candidates for the parliamentary election.