Nasheed backs Fayyaz in MDP primary, says no reason for Solih to contest

Former president Mohamed Nasheed has said he will not contest the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) presidential primary and will support former party chairman Fayyaz Ismail.

Speaking on Sangu TV’s Baaru Hathareh programme Monday night, Nasheed said he had decided to back Fayyaz. He rejected reports that his name could be added to the ballot at the last minute.

“I am supporting Fayyaz this time,” Nasheed said. “I know that the number of people supporting me in the Maldives is not small. Even so, I am supporting Fayyaz this time.”

Nasheed said he would continue to support Fayyaz if former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih decided to contest the primary. Solih has been consulting people close to him about a possible presidential bid but has not made a formal announcement.

“No, I have said that I am supporting Fayyaz,” Nasheed said when asked whether he would back Solih. “I see no reason for President Solih to contest. Whoever contests, my position will remain the same.”

Nasheed and Fayyaz are campaigning under the slogan “Big Change”, which calls for changes to the country’s system of governance and Constitution. The campaign proposes separating the country’s head of state from the head of government, with the latter elected by voters and accountable to Parliament.

Under the proposal, the president would remain the head of state and would be elected by members of elected bodies, including Parliament and local councils.

Fayyaz, a former foreign minister and MDP chairman, has declared his intention to contest the party’s primary. Former foreign minister and MDP chairman Abdulla Shahid has also announced his candidacy.

The primary date has not yet been announced.