The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has lost the parliament supermajority after 12 MPs from the ‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ faction left the party.
MDP secured parliamentary supermajority with 65 out of 87 seats when the 19th People’s Majlis session began. Two independent MPs joined the party later pushing the number of seats to 66. The party also won the Guraidhoo bi-election bringing up the number of seats to 67.
However, Adhadhu understands that 12 MPs from the ‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ coalition submitted letters to leave the party on Wednesday.
Their decision follows MDP’s expulsion of Medhu Henveiru MP Ali Azim a day earlier for signing a no confidence motion against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath.
The MPs who decided to leave MDP are:
- Deputy speaker Eva Abdulla
- Maafannu Medhu MP Ibrahim Rasheed
- Mahchangolhi North MP Mohamed Rasheed
- Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
- Maafannu North MP Imthiyaaz Fahmy
- Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
- Kulhudhuffushi North MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
- Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan
- Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef
- Madaveli MP Hussein Firushan
- Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed
- Gahdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ faction was formed by parliament speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed after he lost the party primary to incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Nasheed is also the President of MDP.
Following the MPs’ decision to quit MDP, the number of MDP seats has now come down to 56. That is less than two-thirds or 58 seats which is required to pass some motions.
Additionally, MDP vice president Mohamed Shifaz and STO former managing director Hussein Amr also decided to leave the party.
