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PPM passes resolution against forming coalitions ahead of local council election

Mariyam Malsa
06 February 2020, MVT 12:42
A photograph taken at the congress held by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in 2018. PHOTO: PPM
Mariyam Malsa
06 February 2020, MVT 12:42

The opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), on Tuesday, passed a resolution against entering into a coalition with any party backing the incumbent government for the local council election slated for April 4.

The party attributed the decision to preventing losses similar to the electoral failure experienced in the 2018 parliamentary election.

PPM and the People's National Congress (PNC) formed a coalition with Jumhooree Party for the aforementioned election. Despite the lack of a formal coalition agreement, PPM decided to allot certain constituencies for JP following discussions with party leader Qasim Ibrahim.

The resolution initially did not completely prohibit the formation of coalitions with pro-government parties. Instead, conditions were stipulated mandating that coalition partners must openly demand and work towards the release of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who is currently in prison on money laundering charges. Additionally, coalition partners would be required to support Yameen's political ideology including his development agenda and religious policies.

The initial version of the resolution also prohibited entering into coalition agreements with parties within the ruling coalition.

However, following the 20-minute debate held at PPM's council meeting, the party decided to amend the resolution to exclude the possibility of entering into a coalition agreement with any pro-government party altogether.

Most members expressed the opinion that PPM possessed that capacity to secure an electoral victory without forming a coalition.

PPM Vice President and Guraidhoo MP Ghassan Maumoon stated that campaign trips to garner support ahead of the council election revealed that general members of the party were in agreement with the decision to not form a coalition.

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