MDP's loss avoidable if party stayed united, Fayyaz says
Fayyaz pointed out that internal conflicts intensified after former President Mohamed Nasheed lost the MDP presidential primary.
The Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman, Fayyaz Ismail, said on Saturday that the MDP’s defeat in the recent presidential election could have been avoided if the party had not splintered near the end of its previous presidential term.
Speaking at the MDP councilors' conference in Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi, Fayyaz reflected on internal divisions within the then ruling party and their impact on the election outcome.
Fayyaz pointed out that internal conflicts intensified after former President Mohamed Nasheed lost the MDP presidential primary.
Nasheed and his supporters, disillusioned with the direction of the party, began opposing the MDP government. When the party initiated disciplinary action by expelling these dissidents, Nasheed and his loyalists left to form a new political party, the Democrats.
The fallout from this split, Fayyaz argued, had a direct impact on the election results.
"As far as I can see, I don’t think the presidential election would have been lost if the party had not split when it was so late," said Fayyaz, who also served as Economic Minister in the MDP government.
During the councilors' conference, a question arose about the MDP's efforts to understand the cause of their defeat.
Fayyaz responded by announcing that a study commissioned by the party is complete, although the results will only be disclosed after submission to the MDP National Assembly.
Fayyaz highlighted key aspects of the research:
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A preliminary draft has reached his desk.
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The study was conducted independently by a committee formed within the party.
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The research committee decided to visit islands and engage with the public to gather opinions.
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Once reviewed by the National Assembly, the findings will be made public.
The study had previously been approved by the MDP National Assembly, reflecting the party's intent to scrutinize both internal dynamics and external factors that led to its electoral defeat.
The impact of the MDP’s fragmentation was evident in the election results. In the first round of the presidential election, Ilyas Labeeb, the Democrats’ candidate, secured third place, while President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—the MDP’s candidate got the second place. As the election advanced to a second round, the MDP sought the Democrats' support, but the newly formed party chose not to back any candidate.
After the election, Nasheed expressed support for President-elect Mohamed Muizzu, further underscoring his estrangement from the MDP.
Nasheed, a key figure in Maldivian politics, ruled the country for about three years and led the MDP for nearly 15 years. He was the party’s presidential candidate in 2008, 2013, and 2018.
However, due to legal challenges, Nasheed was unable to contest in the 2018 election, leading the MDP to nominate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as their candidate through the party's congress. Differences between Solih and Nasheed grew over time, culminating in the eventual split within the MDP.
