Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed has said if he seeks a second term of presidency, it would be with the intent to change the country's government system from a presidential system to a parliamentary system. Nasheed made the statement in an interview given to India's 'The Hindu'.
Nasheed said the new Constitution, which was ratified in 2008, was largely drafted for a parliamentary form of government. However, at the very last stage, then President, Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom decided to have a referendum and prescribe a presidential form of government, said Nasheed. While the Constitution has been run for the last 12 years, its contradictions are every obvious, he added.
'What I am suggesting is a manner in which we can share power with the Parliament and the Executive. And to see that there are no two power centers. And that governance is streamlined and smooth,' Nasheed said.
Nasheed said if he seeks election as a presidential candidate, it would be to change to a parliamentary system, as a bid to get a mandate to change. Nasheed did not rule out a referendum to achieve the desired change in mandate.
Earlier on Monday, Nasheed met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to discuss adopting a parliamentary system.
