Parliament Speaker and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed has said he hopes a presidential election will not be held in 2023. He made the statement during the 'Ask Speaker' show, which was aired live on Tuesday.
During the program, a viewer asked Nasheed if he would be contesting in the 2023 election and if he was confident that he would win the election.
Averting from giving a clear answer to the question, Nasheed spoke regarding the Supreme Court freeing jailed former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom earlier the same day. In his answer, Nasheed said it is essential to keep in mind the events currently unfolding in the Maldives' political arena and pointed out that those who serve as presidents in the Maldives have to lead a bitter life after their term ends. While some believe the ill fate befalls presidents due to their actions, it is still concerning that every president has to either spend time in jail or go into exile after their term ends, said Nasheed.
When asked if the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has a winning formula that would bag them the presidential election, Nasheed again declined to answer directly. The Speaker said he hopes that a democratic system will be established in the Maldives, which ensures rights and justice. He then said he did not wish for the Maldives to hold a presidential election.
Nasheed, who is very vocal about his desire to become Prime Minister under a parliamentary system, earlier this year expressed his aspiration to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. A message sent by Nasheed to President Solih said he wished to discuss changing the government system to a Parliamentary system. In his message, Nasheed said he no longer wanted to remain on the sidelines and wished to be part of running the country as Prime Minister. He called on the president to dissolve the government, cancel the 2023 presidential election, and change the system to a parliamentary system through the Parliament. Nasheed further said he thought it would be best to bring the change in February 2023 and that the Parliament should run the country until the next parliamentary election in 2024.
