The Jumhooree Party (JP) has indicated that it will form and lead a coalition to contest the upcoming presidential election.
Speaking at a press conference held Thursday, JP Leader Qasim Ibrahim's Advisor, Ilham Ahmed, said the party intends to form a coalition led by the party to contest the elections.
Meanwhile, former Thinadhoo North MP Abdulla Ahmed has also submitted a resolution to the party's Congress to decide how the JP will move forward with the presidential election.
Regarding the resolution, Ilham said that no matter how the resolution is passed, there is a spirit within the party to contest the elections in collaboration with other parties. There are no discussions yet on forming a coalition with the MDP presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, he said.
"Whatever the outcome of the resolution, the party leader will decide whether to support the current government in the election. That decision will be respected by the party leadership," Ilham said.
Although JP is part of the ruling coalition, Ilham noted that the party had not received government positions as per the coalition agreement signed to bring President Solih to power. He also said other coalition partner parties, Adhaalath and MRM, which are smaller parties, have more power in the coalition.
"People are not aware of this because JP is not a party that runs around screaming these facts," Ilham said.
Former Home Minister Azleen Ahmed also spoke at the press conference. He told the press that the JP hopes to win the upcoming presidential election and serve the country well.
Qasim has contested two presidential elections since the Green Constitution was enacted in 2008. He contested the 2008 election and the 2013 election on JP ticket but formed coalitions after he was defeated in the first rounds both times.
