Muizzu takes oath as Maldives’ eighth president
In addition, Faresmathoda MP Hussain Mohammed Latheef was sworn in as the Vice President of Maldives at the ceremony.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The eighth President of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, was sworn in on Friday.
President Muizzu was sworn in for the next five years at a ceremony at Republic Square in the presence of Parliament Speaker Mohammed Aslam. Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan administered the oath of office.
In addition, Faresmathoda MP Hussain Mohammed Latheef was sworn in as the Vice President of Maldives at the ceremony.
President Muizzu and Vice President Hussain were elected after defeating President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih, who contested the presidential election on the PNC ticket last September.
Presidential Election Results:
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Muizzu: 129,159 votes (54%); This is an increase of 27,524 votes compared to the first round
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Solih: 109,868 votes(45%); This is an increase of 23,707 votes compared to the first round
Former President Solih was also present at the swearing-in ceremony. With Solih's five-year rule coming to an end on Friday, his MDP is now the main opposition party. President Muizzu's PNC will be the main party in the government.
The 45-year-old took office on Friday as the first president to win two rounds of presidential elections. With that, the mayoral post he held for the past two years became vacant.
More than 3,500 people were invited to the swearing-in ceremony, which cost a total of MVR 22 million, with more than 120 delegates from 64 countries attending. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the highest foreign leader attending.
After the swearing-in, President Muizzu's cabinet will be announced at 7:30 p.m, Friday.
Some of President Muizzu's key presidential promises:
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Removal of Indian troops and revealing alleged secret military agreements with India and removal of sovereignty deficiencies
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Housing for at least 65,000 people in the Male area
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Settling the country’s debt and expanding the economy
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Establish more hospitals and strengthen the health system in Maldives
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Maintaining the price of fish at MVR 20 per kg; Payment within 48 hours of purchase to fishermen.
