The Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has broken its coalition with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and endorsed the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for the second round.
Breaking the coalition formed with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was proposed at an emergency MDA council meeting on Tuesday night by council member Mohamed Abbas.
The proposal was passed with a large majority of 33 votes. It was seconded by MDA Vice President Ali Mauroof. Only two members voted in favor of maintaining the coalition with the MDP, which was proposed by MDA leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed.
The party’s decision to back Dr. Muizzu comes after Siyam assured in a speech on September 4 that he would not abandon President Solih.
“I am by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s side. God willing, I will certainly not leave Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and go anywhere for these five years,” Siyam said.
The two parties that formed a coalition with the MDP for the presidential election were MDA and the Adhaalath Party (AP). Siyam also joined several campaign trips of the three-party coalition.
But the MDA was absent from the campaign after Solih came second in the first round. The party’s decision to break the coalition came three days before the second round of the presidential election.
The Maldives National Party (MNP), which fielded a candidate in the first round, also decided to endorse Dr. Muizzu for the run-off.
AP remains in the MDP coalition. The Jumhooree Party (JP) and The Democrats, both of which contested in the election, decided to stay neutral.
The second round of the presidential election is due to take place next Saturday.
