Speaker Mohamed Nasheed said today that he is not interested in contesting in the upcoming primary of The Democrats to become the party's candidate for September's presidential election.
At a press conference after a meeting with Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim and Maldives National Party (MNP) President Mohamed Nazim, Nasheed was asked whether he was "interested in The Democrats' primary."
"No, I'm not," Nasheed replied.
The basis for forming The Democrats was disagreements that arose after Nasheed lost the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primary. Amid the dispute, Nasheed formed a separate faction called 'Fikuregge Dhirun.'
The faction later became a party.
After the talks between Nasheed, JP presidential candidate Qasim and MNP presidential candidate Nazim, the leaders said they have agreed to field a joint presidential candidate if the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) agrees.
The PPM decided that former president Abdulla Yameen will be the party's candidate for the presidential election scheduled for September 9.
But he is not expected to be able to contest due to an 11-year jail sentence on corruption charges. The PPM has not decided to field an alternative candidate.
