Male' City Council's Macchangolhi South member, Ahmed Zameer, has joined the opposing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Zameer, who had been elected to the City Council under the banner of the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), is currently serving his third term in the council.
Zameer said he signed up for the PPM as he has witnessed the capabilities of Male' City Mayor, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who is contesting the upcoming presidential election on a PPM-PNC ticket. Zameer expressed confidence that Mayor Muizzu would deliver tangible results if elected president.
In the recent upheaval within MDP's ranks, Zameer was seen as supporting Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, who subsequently left MDP to join the newly formed political party, The Democrats. However, Zameer has refrained from active political involvement in recent weeks. Zameer has previously criticized the incumbent government for its lack of cooperation with the City Council during the current term.
With Zameer's move to the PPM, the balance of power within the Male' City Council has shifted. Of the 19 councilors, along with the mayor, ten now represent the PPM.
