MDP proposes party chairperson, president merger
Fayyaz said the merger aims to create a unified leadership model, where one full-time official would be responsible for leading the party.
The leadership of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has proposed a structural change to merge its two senior-most positions — the Chairperson and the President — into a single role, to streamline party operations and leadership.
The proposal is among several changes the party intends to present at its upcoming extraordinary congress scheduled for August. MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail shared details of the proposed changes during a briefing on the party’s reform roadmap.
Fayyaz said the merger aims to create a unified leadership model, where one full-time official would be responsible for leading the party’s day-to-day affairs. He added that this post would carry a salary and would serve as a key link between the party and government when the MDP is in power.
The proposed responsibilities and restrictions of the merged post include:
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The holder of the post would not be eligible to contest in the MDP’s presidential primary during their tenure.
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They would be prohibited from holding positions in the cabinet, state-owned enterprises, or other government roles.
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They would not be permitted to serve as a member of parliament while holding the position.
“This change would ensure that the party has a dedicated person focused solely on party affairs, particularly during times when the MDP is in government,” Fayyaz said.
He noted that in previous MDP administrations, prominent party figures had taken up government roles, which had affected the party’s internal coordination.
Fayyaz acknowledged that the roadmap has not yet been formally released but said that it has been shared with grassroots members during visits to various islands.
Addressing questions about the presidential primary, Fayyaz said he does not intend to run for the primary while serving as Chairperson. However, he noted that completing the term in the new merged role could later serve as a platform to contest in future primaries.
Fayyaz was serving as Minister of Economic Development in the previous administration when he was elected MDP Chairperson. The current MDP President is former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
In addition to Fayyaz, both Shahid and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have been campaigning internally for the party’s 2028 presidential ticket, although neither has publicly confirmed their candidacy.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed, who rejoined the MDP recently after a two-year absence, has also expressed interest in contesting the presidential election. His return followed a message sent to party members seeking their views on his potential candidacy.
