Democrats says talks only with MDP; on system change
Hassan Latheef said The Democrats believe it is important to replace the presidential system with a parliamentary system.
By
Ahmed Sadhoof Moosa
The Democrats are in talks with the ruling MDP to conduct a referendum on Maldives' transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system, the party said on Wednesday.
The Democrats acting chairperson and Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef told reporters at the party office that there has been no response from MDP so far, while separate talks with the main opposition PPM have stalled as they do not want to sign an agreement.
The Democrats' proposal is to hold a referendum on system change on September 25, before the second round of the presidential election on September 30.
"This proposal has been submitted to the MDP and we have submitted it to the PPM," Latheef said, referring to the proposal to hold a referendum vote on the systemic change.
"The MDP has not yet declined the proposal in the discussions, but it has not agreed either."
Hassan Latheef said discussions have been held with the PPM on the system change referendum. However, the talks have now been suspended due to the PPM's refusal to sign a written agreement, he said.
“We are finding it difficult to talk further with the PPM because the PPM does not believe in any document signed by both sides,” he said.
"Therefore, in the event that it cannot be signed, even if things are agreed upon, it will not be accepted by the people."
Hassan Latheef said The Democrats believe it is important to replace the presidential system with a parliamentary system.
-
It is no longer possible to rule Maldives under a presidential system
-
Although the constitution rules governance over a presidential system, only a presidential candidate or a party can win elections
-
The same was said in 2008, 2013 and 2018
-
This year, it's the same situation
Hassan Latheef said that no party can receive 50% of the votes in the presidential election and comes to power by forming a coalition with other parties and contesting in a second round.
“We have been talking about the problems in the system [the presidential system] over and over again,” he said.
Hassan Latheef said the MDP has the biggest opportunity to propose systemic change. They are changing the constitution and going to a referendum vote to improve the system, he said.
Former MDP Chairman Hassan Latheef said the presidential system in Maldives shows that the powers of the state are “corrupt” and the opportunity to remedy it is in the hands of President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih.
