Nasheed: Parliament does not need to function as desired by president

Parliament Speaker, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader Mohamed Nasheed, in anger, has remarked that parliament does not need to function as desired by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. 

MDP has filed a request to dismiss lawmakers of the party in parliamentary committees that belong to Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction; a separate political movement within the party that is working against the government.  A letter signed by MDP Parliamentary Group leader Mohamed Aslam sent to Nasheed on Sunday requested changes to lawmakers of the party in 13 committees.

Expressing anger over the letter in a parliamentarians’ Whatsapp group – Nasheed said no changes will be made without consulting with the members despite the request.

“No member can be dismissed from any parliamentary committee without the request and approval of the members for as long as I am the speaker of the parliament,” he said.

Nasheed further stated that the parliament does not have to function as desired by President Solih, 

“Parliament is not a place that exists to function as the president desires,” he said.

Pro-government lawmaker, North Thinadhoo MP Abdul Mughnee rebutted Nasheed’s remarks saying the parliament is not a place that exists to function as desired by the individual presiding over as the speaker either. 

Disagreements between the two factions of MDP have worsened once again following the party's disciplinary committee’s decision to expel Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim from the party, and ban him from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities.