Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has endorsed President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for the 2023 presidential election. She is the first cabinet minister to officially endorse President Solih for a second term.
Minister Mariya stated in a tweet that she has worked with President Solih as a member of his cabinet since 2018 and has found him to be a great team leader. She stated that the president is patient and willing to listen with an open mind, but decisive when necessary, and that she fully endorses and supports his presidential candidacy in 2023.
President Solih recently announced his intention to run for re-election to a second term. He stated that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) must remain in power in order to continue implementing the party's development vision for the country and that he is a viable presidential candidate for the main ruling party.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed has announced his intention to run in the MDP's presidential primary. Nasheed has also spoken about his intention to begin efforts to transition the Maldives' governance system to a parliamentary system.