MRM rejects Pres Solih's coalition invite

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) on Thursday announced that it has formally rejected an invitation from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to renew the existing coalition agreement for a second term.

In May, President Solih invited all existing coalition partners who backed his presidency bid in 2018 including MRM, Jumhooree Party (JP) and Adhaalath Party to support him for a second term in office as he contests the September 9 election.

After a prolonged delay, MRM said in a statement on Thursday that its executive committee has voted to not back enter into a coalition the president's MDP in the first round. The party cited differences in opinion over "certain policies" presented by MDP during the negotiations. 

The announcement comes a day after the MRM, which has been dissolved by the Election Commission (EC) for not reaching 3,000 members, decided to contest the presidential election and opened nominations for the presidential primary. 

MRM president and Maumoon's son Faris Maumoon has decided to contest the election on his own and is seeking support signatures.