President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said a coalition between the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the opposing Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) is not ideal.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office on Tuesday, President Solih said while MDP and PPM are the largest parties of the country, a partnership between the two parties would disrupt the country's multi-party system.
'I do not believe a coalition between PPM and MDP is the best choice for a multi-party system. I believe both parties should work on opposing sides. This, I believe, is the best approach for the political system, the country's development, and the country's well-being,' the president said.
President Solih further said the actions of one party should be criticized and questioned by the other in a multi-party system. In an indirect reference to Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, President Solih said although some speak about MDP and PPM working together, such a move would not be the end of MDP. MDP would make decisions as per the party's Charters, he added.
'Although some have floated the idea, I do not believe it is a good idea, I do not support it at all. It is not particularly because joining together with PPM is a bad thing,' said the President.
Nasheed, who has been having political differences with his long-time friend President Solih, has been inviting PPM to work with MDP - an invitation the opposing side keeps rejecting. He has also said he can no longer politically align himself with President Solih.
President Solih said Nasheed is welcome to work with any political allies he wishes to work with, even if it is former President of the Maldives Abdula Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. However, he reiterated that it would be a bad move for MDP to work with Yameen's party.
