The political situation in the Maldives is currently in a state of unrest, as the main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), is preparing to file an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu. This decision comes after a violent incident in Parliament, where members from pro-government parties disrupted proceedings and engaged in confrontations with speakers. The MDP has collaborated with Democrats to gather enough signatures to move forward with the impeachment motion, and recent amendments to the standing orders of Parliament have streamlined the process of submitting an impeachment motion. The approval of President Muizzu’s cabinet ministers, which includes key figures, has added an additional layer of complexity to the volatile situation.
A total of 34 members, combining representatives from both the MDP and Democrats, have shown support for the impeachment motion. With a combined strength of 56 MPs, the opposition appears poised to meet the threshold of 56 votes needed to impeach the President. In addition to the impeachment proceedings, the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, both aligned with the MDP. This move indicates broader discontent within the Parliament and intensifies the political turmoil.
In the midst of these political maneuvers, a physical altercation between two Members of Parliament, Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem Shaheem, and Ahmed Easa, resulted in injuries and hospitalization. Minority Leader Moosa Siraj intervened in an attempt to quell the confrontation, emphasizing the challenges faced by lawmakers in maintaining order and civility within the Parliament. Overall, the political landscape in the Maldives is currently characterized by upheaval, impeachment proceedings, and a broader discontent within the Parliament.