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Ruling government will remain as a coalition, assures pres

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured that the ruling coalition will be maintained amid tension within the coalition.

Some parliamentarians from the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have been calling to break up the ruling coalition, which comprises of Jumhooree Party, Adhaalath Party and Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), and dismiss the cabinet ministers appointed on party slots. This in turn has increased tension between coalition partners.

When asked regarding the strength of the coalition during a press conference held Tuesday evening, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the ruling government was elected as a coalition government and would remain as one. He further stressed that he would do everything in his power to maintain the coalition, and ensure that the parties are involved within the coalition.

The president recently moved to dissolve the Ministry of Housing which was under the ministorship of MRM representative Aminath Athifa. After Athifa resigned citing medical issues, the mandate of the Housing Ministry was integrated with the Ministry of Planning. The move drew criticism from MRM, but the party has always said it would continue to work with the government as a partner.