Maldives Opposition Gears Up For Impeachment Of President Muizzu

The Maldivian Constitution stipulates that the removal of the President requires a resolution presented by one-third of Majlis members, accompanied by a justification.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Credit - Associated Press

On Monday, local media reported that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), holding the parliamentary majority, has gathered sufficient signatures to submit a resolution aiming to oust President Mohamed Muizzu. An MDP representative informed SunOnline that the party, in collaboration with the opposition party, The Democrats, has secured the required signatures for an impeachment resolution. According to the Maldivian Constitution, the removal of the President necessitates a resolution endorsed by one-third of Majlis members, accompanied by a justification. Subsequently, the resolution must be approved by two-thirds of the entire Majlis membership. Despite the intense clash between pro-government and opposition MPs the previous day in the Maldives' Parliament over the endorsement of four members of President Muizzu's pro-China Cabinet, the opposition parties are yet to formally submit the motion.

Parliamentary Dispute

Before the cabinet vote on Sunday, the major opposition MDP decided to abstain from granting legislative approval to four members of the President's cabinet. The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives and parliamentarians affiliated with the People's National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition disrupted parliamentary sessions in response to the decision by the opposition MDP and The Democrats' parliamentary group to withhold approval for certain members of President Muizzu's cabinet.

Despite holding a majority in parliament, the MDP chose not to support the appointments of Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Ministers Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed of Islamic Affairs, Ali Haidar of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, and Mohamed Saeed of Economic Development and Trade. The People's National Congress (PNC) and the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) argue that blocking legislative approval for President Muizzu's cabinet is tantamount to impeding essential public services provided by the government.

Reports on the Sun.mv news website suggest that the ruling PPM-PNC coalition has submitted no-confidence resolutions against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem of the Parliament. The impending cabinet approval serves as the basis for the no-confidence motion, with the coalition accusing Speaker Aslam of abusing his official position to favor a specific party.

Since assuming the presidency of the Maldives in November, Muizzu, a pro-China politician, publicly called on India to withdraw its armed soldiers from his nation, citing a "strong mandate" from the Maldivian people. Additionally, he has strengthened the Maldives' ties with China.