Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed has said candidates who support a parliamentary government system winning several seats in main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s recent National Congress Elections is a step forward for the country.
Nasheed, who has always been a vocal supporter for a parliamentary government system for the Maldives, backed pro-parliamentary system candidates in the National Congress.
In a tweet posted on Sunday, Nasheed congratulated those elected to MDP's National Congress in Saturday's election. He acknowledged the efforts of the members in the spirit of democracy, and said it is a great service on their behalf to the country and the party. A second tweet specifically congratulated elected candidates who supports a parliamentary system.
'Several candidates who support parliamentary system being elected to MDP's National Congress is a step forward for the country,' said Nasheed in his tweet.
MDP is currently divided into two factions - supporters of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and loyalists to Nasheed. Majority of the National Council seats were won by candidates loyal to President Solih. 75 percent of candidates who were elected to the council were backed by President Solih. Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed Hussain, all of whom are close aides of the president, secured National Council seats.
Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed
