President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged voters to think about previous governments as they decide to cast ballots in the September presidential election.
Speaking at a rally in Shaviyani Foakaidhoo on Sunday night to launch his re-election campaign, Solih urged people to recall previous governments.
“What happened in the MDP government elected with a coalition in 2008? What happened to the coalition? The coalition collapsed in just 21 days. The government collapsed before its term expired," Solih said.
When former President Mohamed Nasheed's government was forced out on February 7, 2012, MDP members and the country faced unexpected fear, he stated.
Solih also highlighted the government of former President Abdulla Yameen that came to power with a coalition in 2013.
“What kind of fear did we face after that? where were the political leaders, what happened to the journalists, what was done to the courts?” he questioned.
Supporters at the campaign rally.
Noting the failure of the coalition during the Nasheed and Yameen governments, Solih said his government has maintained the coalition over the past five years.
“The people elected the coalition for five years. Unlike other governments, this coalition still remains," he claimed.
Solih also noted that several parties had already formed a coalition with his ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for the re-election campaign.
Adhaalath Party (AP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) have backed Solih for a second term.
MDA leader and MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed also spoke at Sunday night's rally and explained his reasons for supporting Solih.
Solih and Siyam at the rally.
"We have seen governments run by a coalition and without one. The only target is to fulfill the pledges made to the people. A government needs five years to achieve that. The coalition must also function properly to achieve that. The current President Solih has maintained the coalition properly for five years," the resort tycoon said.
Siyam also praised Solih for the decisions made during the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war.
"At that time, businesses across the country were hopeless, believing they would go bankrupt," he said, describing Solih as a patient and wise leader.
