Yameen: Opposition majority necessary to hold government accountable

An opposition majority at the Parliament is necessary to hold the government accountable, says Leader of main opposition party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Yameen, during his presidency, had maintained a super majority at the Parliament, a convenience used to executive all of his administration’s legislative agenda.

Speaking during the press conference held after the signing of the coalition agreement between PPM and People’s National Congress (PNC) last Friday night, Yameen said that a parliament majority to a single political party, in itself, was not an issue, but that a majority maintained by opposition parties was necessary to hold the government accountable for any irregular or illegal practice.

“We are the opposition. The reason why a government coalition majority is not necessary is because we, the opposition, by gaining majority at the Parliament, can balance all their irregular practices, human rights violations and illegal practices,” said Yameen.

“If the government were running in compliance with regulations and laws, the government party holding majority, in itself, is not an issue. But given the irregular practices taking place, an opposition majority is necessary to hold the government accountable.”

Yameen’s account of the pros and cons of both a government and opposition majority at the Parliament comes as Leader of main government party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed continues to stress the need for MDP to gain majority of the new Parliament which will be elected on April 6 in order to ensure the successful realization of all of the current administration’s pledges.

Nasheed’s statements calling for MDP majority rather than government coalition majority have been opposed by Qasim Ibrahim, Leader of Jumhoory Party (JP) – a partner of the government coalition.

Qasim has argued that no single party should enjoy super majority at the Parliament.