Nasheed rejoins MDP two years after leaving party

Jun 23, 2025, 5:34 PM
Former President Mohamed Nasheed (m) with MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail (l) and MDP President Abdulla Shahid (r). -- Photo: Mohamed Shahzan/ Adhadhu

Former President Mohamed Nasheed (m) with MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail (l) and MDP President Abdulla Shahid (r). -- Photo: Mohamed Shahzan/ Adhadhu

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has joined the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which he left two years earlier.

He joined MDP during a rally held at the Sultan Park on Monday night. He left the MDP on June 21, 2023, amid a split within the former ruling party.

Nasheed signed up for the Democrats on July 13, 2023, but took a break from politics and resided in Ghana.

But on June 17, the Democrats held a national assembly meeting in Male', where it was decided to join the MDP.

The following night, an informal meeting of the MDP national assembly was held and members wanted to give Nasheed and the Democrats a warm welcome.

Former Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla and other leading figures in the Democrats have also rejoined the MDP with Nasheed.

Nasheed was among those who petitioned the government in 2003 to form the MDP. He secured the party's first presidential ticket and became President in 2008.

He also ran for parliament with the MDP ticket and was the Speaker of the 19th session of the People's Majlis.

His decision to rejoin the MDP comes amid heightened competition for the 2028 presidential ticket in the main opposition party.

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