Presidential address for 2018 has been slated for February 5 at Dharubaaruge in order to commence the parliament for the new year.
Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is expected to address on the state initiatives and projects planned for 2018 as well as the road-map for state administration throughout the year. While the presidential address is set at Dharubaaruge in 2018, the venue had not changed for the past two years when president Abdulla Yameen delivered his address prior to parliament commencement.
The presidential addressing ceremony is attended by parliamentarians, ministers and several dignitaries of the government and politics. However the prime opposition Maldives Democratic Party has boycotted from attending the ceremony for the past two years.
MDP had since banded together with other opposition parties to work in a joint-party alliance, so it is yet to be seen whether the party will attend the addressing ceremony or not.
The major opposition party had not provided with any statements to clarify their stand on attending the presidential addressing.
Parliament is once again commencing with 12 of its lawmakers having being allegedly deposed and evicted of their seats according to Elections Commission. These MPs have decided to visit Supreme Court until they get a clear ruling on the issue, to relieve the confusing statement the top-court had issued earlier.
Meanwhile Attorney General Mohamed Anil confirmed that several works have been planned for the new year while the addressing date is scheduled for February 5. He confirmed that a total of 45 bills will be presented to parliament floors for deliberation.
