Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) has decided not to accept President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's invitation to form a coalition with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the upcoming presidential election.
In a statement issued Thursday, MRM said it had decided not to form a coalition with the main ruling party after discussing the proposals made at a meeting held with party leaders on May 1.
"The party's Executive Committee decided at its 10th meeting this year that it does not want to work with the MDP in the first round of the upcoming presidential election," MRM said in the statement.
MRM, which is in the governing coalition, said it had held several informal meetings with the MDP in addition to the official meeting held in May. However, MRM did not give any further details or reasons for the party's decision.
The party earlier announced a presidential primary for July 30. This comes after the Elections Commission (EC) decided to dissolve the party. MRM has gone to court against the EC decision.
“MRM has filed a case in court saying it will not accept the commission's decision to dissolve the party. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether a presidential candidate can or cannot contest from MRM until the court decides,” EC Secretary General Hassan Zakariya said.
Meanwhile, there are rumors that MRM President Faris Maumoon is signing up to contest the presidential election. Faris, a former parliamentarian, is the son of party founder Gayoom.
MRM recently had political talks with Jumhooree Party (JP) which also rejected an invitation to join the MDP coalition. JP leader Qasim Ibrahim has announced to contest in the presidential election.
Only Adhaalath Party (AP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) decided to accept Solih's invitation to join the MDP coalition.
