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Speaker rescinds parliamentary system motion

Mohamed Rehan
21 August 2022, MVT 20:49
Parliament Speaker's repeated attempts to sway support for his motion was met with rejection by President Solih-- Photo: Fayaz Moosa | Mihaaru
Mohamed Rehan
21 August 2022, MVT 20:49

Maldives Parliament Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed rescinds his motion for a parliamentary system of governance.

Prior to the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) congress, Nasheed had pushed forth the motion seeking amendments to the Maldives Constitution for a parliamentary system transition. The Speaker's decision had been confirmed by a senior member of the ruling party.

Nasheed had however, not disclosed his decision for rescinding the motion, while he refrained from commenting about the matter to the local correspondents at the congress venue.

Meanwhile, the discussions that led the ruling party congress gave strong effect to MDP majority's stance for preserving the presidential system. Several members of the party announced their dissent for a transition.

Nasheed met with further lambaste by a majority of 1,200 of the party's attendees at the congress, when he questioned the legitimacy of the ruling party's various branches.

Speaker's motion was also met with intervention by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who had earlier publicly announced his stand on the matter. President Solih had, prior to the congress, suggested from Nasheed to reconsider his decision.

The two ruling party leaders had also held impromptu discussions with MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, during the Sunday's congress session. However, the particulars of the discussion had not been disclosed by either of them.

Reports also claim Nasheed sought peaceful talks with President Solih to sway support for his motion, which however was not accepted by an unrelenting Maldivian head of state.

President Solih had further advised Nasheed to respect the majority consensus of the ruling party.

Nasheed is convinced the ruling party will not land a win at the upcoming presidential election in 2023, if the governance is not changed to a parliamentary system. His proposed changes to the constitution therefore, reflects the motive for the governance system switch.

Speaker who has constantly been vocal about his endorsement of the parliamentary system, suggests Maldives governance to move for electing a prime minister while the president will be nominal.

Challenging the narrative, President Solih had urged the Speaker to respect status quo. Solih argued maintaining the presidential system was instrumental for the country right now.

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