Maldives: JP to support opposition Congress for upcoming elections

In Maldives, Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim has said his party will support opposition congress for upcoming parliamentary elections next month but the government coalition is still intact.

At a press conference on Saturday night, Qasim revealed his party’s decision to support candidates of the Progressive Congress, which consists of former President Abdulla Yameen. He said that 32 candidates of opposition Congress have JP’s full support but that this decision was not part of any agreement made between them.

He also said that the party’s main objective is to get more seats in the next parliament and that their decision is a result of main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) not respecting their agreement with JP.

The rift between MDP and JP emerged after MDP decided to contest almost all seats in the parliamentary election.

Meanwhile, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the government will show a difference once MDP receives majority in Parliament. Addressing an election rally,

President Solih said that he will never forget that the people brought MDP to power, and his responsibilities as their leader.

Highlighting that coalition partners including JP have a large role in bringing him to power, President Solih assured the people that he will not let them down. Solih, as coalition candidate had defeated incumbent President Abdullah Yameen at Presidential elections last year