Imthiyaz backs Nasheed’s proposal for MDP-Democrats unity
Imthiyaz Fahumee, has publicly expressed his support for a potential alliance between the MDP and the Democrats.
The incumbent President of the Democrats, Imthiyaz Fahumee (Inthi), has publicly expressed his support for a potential alliance between the MDP (Maldivian Democratic Party) and the Democrats. This proposal comes as a significant political development in the Maldives, as both parties have previously operated separately due to ideological and personal differences.
The Democrats were initially formed by Mohamed Nasheed and his loyalists after he was ousted from the MDP following a loss in the party’s presidential primary. When Nasheed began opposing the MDP government, tensions escalated, leading to his expulsion from the party. In response, Nasheed and his supporters established the Democrats as a political alternative. However, despite the initial momentum, the party has struggled to gain a significant foothold in Maldivian politics, failing to secure any parliamentary seats in recent elections. This lack of success led many founding members of the Democrats to rejoin the MDP.
Nasheed’s decision to propose an alliance between the two parties was made public in a post on X (formerly Twitter) today. He emphasized that a united front would serve the best interests of the Maldives, suggesting that both the MDP and the Democrats could achieve more by collaborating rather than remaining divided.
Nasheed’s post quickly garnered attention, with Imthiyaz, who was elected as the President of the Democrats in January, expressing his approval. In a subsequent post, Imthiyaz wrote, “I welcome this view of President Mohamed Nasheed,” signaling his openness to the idea of unity between the two political factions.
The proposal was also met with support from the MDP’s leadership. MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail echoed the sentiment, stating that the MDP’s National Assembly would soon pass a resolution encouraging the collaboration of political parties and associations to work together in upholding the Constitution of the Maldives.
Nasheed, who served as the President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012, was the leader of the MDP for nearly 15 years. However, his relationship with the party became strained after President Ibrahim Solih assumed power in 2018. Nasheed's influence within the MDP began to wane, and as his disagreements with the Solih-led government deepened, Nasheed's supporters increasingly felt the need to form a new political entity, the Democrats.
This proposal for an alliance between the MDP and the Democrats comes at a crucial time, as political speculation heats up about the upcoming presidential election. There have been rumors that former President Solih plans to contest the MDP’s presidential primary, which has already sparked internal debates within the party. In addition to Solih, MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, MDP President Abdullah Shahid, and Hulhumale’ South MP Ahmed Shamheed have all expressed interest in running for the presidential ticket.
Nasheed's endorsement of a joint venture between the two parties is seen as a potential game-changer, signaling the possibility of a united political force challenging the status quo in Maldivian politics. If Nasheed’s vision for unity is realized, it could reshape the political landscape and present new opportunities for the Maldives’ future.
