Maumoon and Qasim to meet today for political discussions

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyom is scheduled to meet Jumhoory Party’s (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim for political discussions on Monday.

The founder of Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) included in the incumbent government coalition also met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday and decided to incept a committee for further discussions regarding forming a coalition with President Solih for the upcoming presidential elections.

Maumoon is meeting Qasim on Monday while JP has decided to independently contest the elections.

MRM’s president, Maumoon’s son, Faris Maumoon confirmed to Sun that Maumoon is meeting with Qasim today for political discussions.

Faris said that MRM will endorse a candidate for the elections after these discussions and also in careful consideration of the present situation of the country.

“Although other parties have made sudden decisions, we will make one after careful consideration,” he said.

Faris did not disclose the time and the location of the meeting.

MRM has to make a decision regarding this year’s election. While three members of the party are serving as ministers in the incumbent government – the party barely meets the 3,000-member requirement. 

So far, only Adhaalath Party, which is included in the current government coalition, and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), which has previously been an opposition party, have only agreed to form coalitions with President Solih.

Ruling Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed who lost the party’s presidential primary to President Solih, has stated he would not back President Solih in the election. He has been working to work alongside JP for the elections.