Former Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim's Maldives National Party (MNP) announced its decision on Monday, September 11, to form an alliance with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC) coalition ahead of the second round of the presidential elections.
With the presidential runoff election scheduled for September 30, the two leading contenders have initiated discussions with other political parties to seek alliances and support.
MNP made their official decision at the party's Monday evening council meeting, where the members agreed to endorse PPM/PNC coalition's candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Dr. Muizzu, who secured the lead in the first round of elections with 101,635 votes (46.6 percent), extended an invitation to other parties to form alliances with the coalition for the upcoming runoff polls.
With its official decision, MNP is the first party to formally announce their coalition ties to either of the leading presidential contenders.
The opposition coalition is still in talks with other political parties for possible alliance ahead of the second round, with the invitation extended once again on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who secured second place in the first round of the presidential election with 86,161 votes, has also extended an invitation for coalition talks on behalf of the ruling party. He has met with some prominent political figures, including Mohamed Nazim.
President Solih also said the party was in talks with 2 to 3 parties including The Democrats founded by Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed after he exited MDP. The Democrats however, had not given an official answer.
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