Joint opposition to boycott presidential address
Both the opposition parties have cited several reasons behind their decision to boycott the first parliamentary session of 2024.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
The main opposition parties Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats have decided to boycott president Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's first presidential address to open the parliament for the year.
The 148th meeting of the MDP Parliamentary Group decided to boycott Monday's session.
The party issued a press release on the matter on Sunday evening, citing the following reasons for not attending the presidential address that is scheduled to be delivered on Monday:
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The opening day of the Parliament has been changed from an official holiday to a working day by the President so as to undermine the dignity of the Parliament
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On the day of the ministerial approval session, people including senior government officials gathered at the parliament and threw stones and bottles into the parliament grounds, creating fear and unrest in the hearts of the people
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The government has not done anything to stop the threats and attacks on MPs
Therefore, the MDP decided to boycott the session "as a peaceful protest against the government's attempts to undermine the powers of Parliament and encroach on its privileges”.
The Democrats, who are working with the MDP, have also decided to boycott Monday's session. The party has decided not to attend the opening session because:
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President Muizzu has invited three ministers who have not received parliamentary approval to the parliament opening session
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The Democrats' Parliamentary Group believes this is unconstitutional and a challenge to the power and dignity of Parliament, and the party does not want to encourage such actions.
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