PPM-PNC drops no-confidence motions against speaker, deputy speaker

The ruling PPM-PNC coalition has withdrawn no-confidence motions it filed against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem.

The motions were submitted with the endorsement of 23 lawmakers on January 28, after the main opposition MDP – which holds a majority in the Parliament – passed a three-line red whip to deny approval to some of the members of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet. The decision resulted in unrest within the Parliament, with lawmakers caught on camera engaged in physical tussles.

Aslam and Saleem, who are both members of the MDP, were served notice for the motions against them last week.

But on Wednesday, Aslam confirmed the ruling coalition has decided to withdraw the motions.

PPM-PNC had alleged that the decision by Aslam to reject the original committee report granting approval to the cabinet ministers in December was in clear violation of the Parliament’s standing orders.

The decision to withdraw the motions is unclear at this point.

Last month, the MDP and opposition Democrats, which hold a significant majority in the Parliament, gathered enough signatures to impeach President Muizzu. However, they have yet to submit the motion.

Parliament’s current composition:

• MDP: 42 seats
• PNC: 16 seats
• Democrats: 13 seats
• PPM: 2 seats
• MDA: 2 seats
• JP: 2 seats
• Independent: 3 seats