President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has welcomed the decision of the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) to join the coalition of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for the presidential election.
MDA decided not to contest the presidential election and instead discuss forming a coalition with other interested parties. As such, MDA held a council meeting with the parties that have expressed interest in forming a coalition. The leadership of MDA has also met with the opposition coalition of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC).
After the council meeting, the majority of the members agreed to proceed with President Solih. A total of 34 votes were in favor and two members voted against forming a coalition with MDP. MDA decided to form a coalition with MDP in an effort to work towards seeking an additional term for President Solih in order to establish political stability in the country for the benefit of the public.
Welcoming the decision, President Solih tweeted that he would continue the journey of walking toward peace, development and progress in the country. Meanwhile, MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail also welcomed the decision describing it as an added encouragement to win the upcoming presidential election.
In addition, the Adhaalath Party (AP) also decided to form a coalition with MDP for the upcoming presidential election. Leader of MDA Ahmed Siyam Mohamed decided against competing in the presidential election in light of the political and economic situation in the Maldives. President Solih and Siyam met recently, although no details of the meeting were disclosed. After the MDP presidential primary, the party gave the power to form a coalition to President Solih. He had also invited some political parties to form a coalition.