MDP says to fully cooperate in passing new govt's budget

MDP will give its full cooperation to the government of president-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu to pass next year's budget, MDP Parliamentary Group Leader, Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam said Monday.

Aslam was responding to a question from Atoll Times at a press conference held at the parliament secretariat on the second no-confidence motion signed by 49 MDP MPs against the speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

"We have no spirit [to do anything] to make matters difficult for the government. Our responsibility will be to hold the new government accountable after its formation. We will continue to do so responsibly," Aslam said.

He noted that the MDP will continue to work strongly as an opposition party. However, Aslam assured that they would not do anything in parliament with the intention of harassing insulting the government.

"We as MPs and as the party will give our full cooperation to the government in whatever it wants to run. We will give our full cooperation to the government in passing the budget, swearing in of the president-elect, and doing such things," he said.

"However, we will not hesitate to hold the government accountable."

According to Article 96(a) of the constitution, prior to the commencement of each financial year, the finance minister shall submit for approval to the parliament a budget containing the projected revenue and expenditures for the year, and a statement of actual revenue and expenditures for the preceding year.

President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu will be sworn in as president at the Republic Square on November 17.