Spokesperson: Decision to oust Nasheed made after discussion with President

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group’s decision to submit a no-confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed was taken following discussion with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, states the President’s Office spokesperson.

In a press conference Thursday, PO spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed said that the main ruling party always discusses it with the president before making decisions, and that the party’s parliamentary group had discussed it with president before making the decision to submit the motion against Nasheed – who remains the party’s leader, even after MPs loyal to him left MDP and applied to form a new party – The Democrats.

“The president will side with the parliamentary group’s majority. The president discusses with them. [He discusses things] with all members of MDP’s parliamentary group,” said Miuvaan.

The motion against Nasheed was submitted with the endorsement of 54 MPs on Wednesday. Those who endorsed the motion includes 50 MPs from MDP, the leader of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, and three independent MPs; Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla (Mosta), and Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseer.

It is more than the 43 votes needed to pass the motion.