The Democrats have said that talks with the opposition Progressive Congress Coalition have stalled, but negotiations are ongoing with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ahead of the second round of the presidential election scheduled for September 30.
Dr. Mohamed Muizzu from the People's National Congress (PNC) endorsed by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) won the most votes in the first round of the election on September 9 but failed to secure more than 50 percent needed to come to power.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came in second while the Democrats' candidate MP Ilyas Labeeb came third with seven percent of the votes. The party has been in talks with both sides ahead of the run-off round.
Democrats' interim chairperson MP Hassan Latheef told reporters on Friday night that the talks with PPM-PNC have stalled as they refuse to proceed with a signed agreement for a coalition.
"So it is very difficult for us to work with PPM without signing any agreements. Democrats is a political party and the terms agreed between parties must be visible in a document," he said.
He said the Democrats proposed both PPM and MDP on taking a referendum on the system of government.
“We are proposing to hold a referendum on the system of government on September 25 before the second round,” Hassan said.
He said the MDP has not rejected the proposal and discussions are ongoing. However, he said the Democrats would not prolong the negotiation.
Hassan said the party has always advocated for a parliamentary system. The party's leader, former President and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has argued that the country must go for a parliamentary system as no single party is able to secure more than 50 percent of the votes needed to come to power.
