Yameen says he'd choose Muizzu over MDP ‘any time’

Former President Abdulla Yameen has said he would choose President Mohamed Muizzu over the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to govern the country at any time, despite his opposition to the current administration.

Yameen made the remarks during a gathering held by his People's National Front (PNF) on Sunday night, where he criticised the MDP and its proposed changes to the country's system of governance.

"Any time of the day, any time of the year, I will choose Muizzu over the MDP. I will choose Muizzu over the MDP," Yameen said.

The comments come as Yameen has joined former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in working against the current administration. However, Yameen said his political opposition to Muizzu did not change his assessment of the MDP's record in government.

Yameen claimed that the actions of MDP administrations were worse than those of the current government, arguing that the party had failed during its two periods in power.

He accused the MDP of violating democratic principles while in government and said the party's actions did not match its stated policies.

Yameen also criticised the "Bodu Badhalu", or Major Reform, initiative being pursued by MDP Chairperson Nasheed.

The initiative proposes changes to the country's governance structure, including separating the positions of Head of State and Head of Government.

Yameen has previously said he opposes the proposal and believes executive authority should not be divided between a President and Prime Minister.

Speaking on Sunday, Yameen said the Maldives should not return to systems that he believes have already been tested and failed.

He also criticised the MDP's "Agenda 19", which formed part of the party's policy platform during the administration of former President Solih.

Yameen claimed the public had not received the benefits promised under the agenda.

"They are simply a group selling lip service. Therefore, we must distance ourselves from them," Yameen said.

He added that the Maldivian public was educated and capable of assessing political claims and government records.

"Majeedhiyya School is approaching its centenary. Therefore, I want to tell them not to assume they can make such statements in this society anymore," he said.

Yameen also directed criticism at Nasheed over his advocacy for changes to the system of governance.

Nasheed became the first President elected under the 2008 Constitution but resigned in February 2012 before completing his five-year term.

Yameen argued that Nasheed had governed under the existing presidential system without seeking to amend the Constitution at the time.

He claimed the current reform effort was being pursued because provisions governing the presidential system no longer suited Nasheed's political objectives.

"What is happening here is simply that the provisions set for the presidential system in the current Constitution no longer suit former President Nasheed. He wants to alter them to fit his preferences. That is why this talk of a parliamentary system is coming up," Yameen said.

"The problem is not that the system itself is flawed. Around six presidents have governed under this system."

Yameen also criticised former Vice President Faisal Naseem for supporting the proposed governance reforms.

He questioned why Faisal had not advocated for such changes while serving as Vice President during Solih's five-year administration.

"So they should not try to teach us democracy. We remember what they did as if it happened yesterday afternoon," Yameen said.

Yameen said the country's governance structure should ensure that powers are distributed among the branches of the state rather than concentrated under one office.

He said a President should be able to govern within those constitutional limits, arguing that anyone unable to do so should not seek the presidency.