The main opposition coalition has declared its unwavering support to former President Abdulla Yameen for the 2023 presidential election.
At a press conference, President of People’s National Congress (PNC) Abdul Raheem Abdulla said that the party has no disagreements with coalition partner Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and that both parties are behind their candidate, former President Yameen.
Also at the press conference, opposition leaders including Vice President of PPM Ghassan Maumoon, Parliamentarians Ahmed Shiyam, Adam Shareef, and Mohamed Saeed, as well as Mayor of Male’ City Dr. Mohamed Muizzu declared their unwavering support to former President Yameen. They said that the opposition is working with the expectation that he will be able to run in the presidential election.
PPM awarded its presidential ticket to former President Yameen in August 2022. However, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December 2022 after being found guilty of money laundering and accepting bribes in relation to the lease of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll, for resort development through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). He will receive the opportunity to run in the election if he wins the appeal case.