The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Chairperson, Fayyaz Ismail, has extended words of encouragement to MDP members following the unexpected departure of its coalition partner, the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).
After MDA's key figures stayed away from campaign events following President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's second-place finish in the initial round of the presidential election, MDA at its Council Meeting held Tuesday decided to withdraw from the coalition with MDP and instead endorse the rival candidate, PPM-PNC's Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
In a tweet posted shortly after MDA's decision was announced, Fayyaz expressed his respect for MDA's choice and thanked them for their efforts in the presidential election campaign. Encouraging party members, Fayyaz said the MDP has always sailed in the rough seas and emerged strong. He described MDP as an unyielding force with unwavering determination.
The PPM-PNC presidential candidate, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, emerged as the leading contender in the first round of the presidential election, garnering 101,635 votes (46 percent), while President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received 86,000 votes (36 percent).
