Democrats set to take minority status from PPM in parliament

The opposition PPM-PNC is set to lose its minority status in parliament with the formation of The Democrats, a breakaway political party led by former MDP president Mohamed Nasheed.

The Democrats will hold their founding rally on Wednesday evening and register the party. Once the Elections Commission includes the party in the register of political parties, it will formally get recognition in the parliament.

Thirteen MPs have already signed up to the party:

In addition, parliament speaker Nasheed and Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Rasheed will also sign up to The Democrats' at the founding rally, party officials confirmed on Tuesday, taking the number of Democrats MPs to 15.

The PPM-PNC coalition, which is currently the minority party, has eight members. The current minority leader is Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, who is the leader of the PPM parliamentary group.

With the formation of The Democrats party, Saleem will lose his position as minority leader and the position will now be filled by the leader of The Democrats’ parliamentary group.

The defection of pro-Nasheed MPs from the ruling MDP, which still retains a majority with over 50 MPs, to form The Democrats, has brought the parliament to a deadlock due to disputes over the reconstitution of committees.

Parliament is currently on recess. MDP tried to hold an extraordinary session, but it was also held in name only.