Nasheed: Presidential control of Majlis majority leads to decisions that harm public interest

Former President and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed said on Wednesday night that when the majority of the People's Majlis is held by the President in office during that term, matters are not concluded in a way most beneficial to the people. Speaking in an interview with 'Sangu TV' in connection with Republic Day, Nasheed said he has always supported a parliamentary or Westminster system. He explained that in a republic, powers would be under the direct control of the President of the Republic, and that when the majority of the People's Majlis belongs to a sitting president, all other powers can also be taken by the President. "Therefore, without making good and proper decisions, without seeking the ways most beneficial to the people, we are deciding matters," Nasheed said. He also repeated his remark that the prosperity of the people will increase only by bringing a change to the system of governance. Nasheed's comments come at a time when the ruling party holds a supermajority in both the current term of the Majlis and the most recent past term. The previous MDP government was brought to power with Nasheed's support, and MDP won 65 seats in the Majlis election held during that term, when he was also in the Majlis leadership. However, the relationship between then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Nasheed worsened, and the MDP split in two. In May 2023, 12 MDP members left the party, and Nasheed later departed as well. Solih did not defend the presidency in the presidential election held thereafter, with many saying the main reason was the division within the MDP. Nasheed formed his own party and fielded a presidential candidate in that election. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won that election, and after he assumed office, 12 MDP members joined the People's National Congress (PNC). In the vote to elect the 20th Majlis, the PNC obtained a supermajority, and 74 members of that party are now in the Majlis.