Opposition: Not required to respond to the presidential address

Opposition PPM-PNC coalition, on Monday, describing the presidential address delivered by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih this morning as unlawful, has expressed their belief they are not required to respond to the address.

Some MPs of the opposition coalition protested when President Solih initially began his presidential address – calling for his resignation. 

However, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, who was presiding over the sitting, had admonished three opposition MPs, ordering them to leave the floor.

MPs of the opposition coalition that left the floor during that time were stopped from re-entering later on.

Speaking at a press conference after sitting held at PPM’s headquarters – the coalition’s parliamentary group leader, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem described the deliverance of the presidential address without allowing opposition MPs to be present at the floor as unacceptable. He further stated that the current administration does not know democracy and accused the administration of twisting the truth.

“We are faced with having to acquire that statement from media outlets and other sources in order to respond to it. Is this how we should be treated?” he questioned.

PNC’s leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) who also spoke at the press conference said that the presidential address cannot be delivered by "the president" He alleged that the last person who took the presidential oath was a different person, therewith, declaring the presidential address delivered today by President Solih unlawful.

“Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is not the president. That is what we are saying,” he said.

Adhurey added that Vice President Faisal Naseem had taken oath as the president, alleging that the current president is actually Faisal.

“We do not even want to listen to the presidential address delivered by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih nor respond to it,” he stressed.