Solih, Nasheed meet after months; discuss pres runoff backing

Despite speaker Mohamed Nasheed's Democrats party taking a neutral stand in the upcoming presidential runoff, discussions were held on Sunday with Nasheed about him backing MDP presidential candidate, President Solih, in the runoff, President Solih has said. 

President Solih and Nasheed met at the Presidential Office Sunday morning.

After the meeting, the president told Atoll Times that the two discussed the political situation in Maldives.

Although the Democrats, founded by Nasheed after splitting from the MDP early this earlier, have decided not to support any candidate, discussions with Nasheed focused on getting his backing, the president said.

"We talked about it. The details will be announced later," he said.

Nasheed was a close friend of President Solih before he came to power, but the two have not spoken for many months due to their political differences.

The differences escalated, with Nasheed resigning from the MDP after his defeat in the MDP presidential primary in January and forming a new party called The Democrats. He is working politically against President Solih through the party.

Results of the September 9 election show main opposition PPM-PNC's Dr Mohamed Muizz leading the polls with 46%, while President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih secured 39%. 

To win outright, a candidate needs more than 50% of the votes. Based on the results, a runoff between the top two contenders will take place on September 30.

The Democrats candidate, Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labib won the third highest number of votes.