JP elects Qasim as PG leader, Nazim as deputy PG leader

Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim was elected by the party as its Parliamentary Group (PG) leader late Wednesday.

JP also elected Dhangethi MP and former Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim as the Deputy Leader of PG.

MP Nazim, who previously served in the military, was newly elected to the parliament to represent Dhangethi constituency in the parliamentary elections held April 6. He entered the political landscape during former President Mohamed Waheed's administration in 2012, after which he had served as Minister of Defence and subsequently Minister of Health.

Despite having a major representation in the previous 18th sitting of the parliament, JP attained only five parliamentary seats in the elections for the newly sworn-in 19th parliament. JP only attained the constituencies of Maamigili, Dhangethi, Kendhoo, Thimarafushi, and Isdhoo.

The current administration's main member of the ruling coalition, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), holds the super majority within the current parliament. MDP's leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed was elected as the Speaker of Parliament, while Galolhu North MP and MDP member Eva Abdulla secured the post of Deputy Speaker.