The newly-formed Democrats and opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have started serial talks on working together to bring an end to president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration.
Speaking at a joint press conference, PPM vice president Ahmed Shiyam said arrangements will be made soon on working together to hold the government accountable and to bring an end to the government with the presidential election due to take place in about two months.
Highlighting specific matters, Medhu Henveiru MP Ali Azim said both parties needed to work together on the problems of rising debt and independent institutions being "stuck" under the government.
Azim said The Democrats believe that all political leaders should be able to contest in order to hold a fair election. Asked if former president Abdulla Yameen, who is in jail over the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal, should be freed, Azim said the corruption scandal was a matter of concern. Azim refused to give a straight answer despite repeated questions.
While the PPM and Democrats have started to work together, both parties have decided to field candidates in the presidential election. Shiyam said at the press conference that despite working together on matters of agreement, the PPM would not abandon core principles.
"When two people get married, they also have to agree, don't they? We are together on what both sides agree upon. So we're finding a common ground to work on," Shiyam said.
In addition to Azim, The Democrats are represented at the meetings by Galolhu Uthuru MP Eva Abdulla, Henveiru Hulhagu MP Hassan Latheef and former managing director of the State Trading Organization (STO) Hussain Amr.
The PPM is represented by Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq (Tom), Faresmaathoda MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef, PPM vice president Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) and Hulhumale' councillor Ibrahim Shujau.
