The Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) parliamentary group indicated today that it would consider withdrawing one of two no-confidence motions filed by the majority party against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla if parliament sittings are conducted properly.
Responding to a question from a journalist at a press briefing in parliament, Hithadhoo Uthuru MP Mohamed Aslam, leader of the MDP parliamentary group, said the only discussion to be had with the speaker about conducting sittings involved withdrawing a no-confidence motion.
An out-of-session sitting was scheduled for today after the MDP requested a sitting to be held during recess. But the chair adjourned the sitting shortly after it began.
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef, who was presiding over the sitting, said a report on changes to parliament's standing committees needed to be revised again.
The report needs to be revised to reflect changes to the composition of committees after some MPs left their parties, Afeef said. A sitting would be held after the updated report is shared with MPs, he said.
He was referring to Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and Hithadhoo Medhu MP Ahmed Rasheed, both of whom resigned from the MDP.
"So this sitting could only be continued after circulating the report to MPs again along with the changes," Afeef said.
In response to a question from Adhadhu at the press briefing held to express concern over the cancellation, Aslam said there was only one discussion to be had with the speaker to resolve the deadlock, which was withdrawing one of the no-confidence motions.
"For example, we could have the space to think about withdrawing a motion if sittings are conducted properly now," Aslam said.
He was asked whether the MDP could negotiate with the speaker on continuing parliamentary proceedings. Aslam said such a discussion was very difficult due to the actions of Speaker Nasheed.
