Maldives’ opposition party to submit impeachment motion against President Muizzu
This decision comes in the aftermath of a violent incident in the Maldives' parliament, where members from pro-government parties engaged in confrontation with speakers
The political landscape in the Maldives is currently in a state of upheaval, with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party, gearing up to file an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu. This decision comes in the aftermath of a violent incident that unfolded in the Parliament, where members from pro-government parties, including the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), disrupted proceedings and engaged in confrontations with speakers.
The impending impeachment motion has been fueled by the MDP’s collaboration with Democrats, and they have reportedly gathered enough signatures to move forward. Recent amendments to the standing orders of the Maldives Parliament have streamlined the process of submitting an impeachment motion, providing a critical avenue for the opposition to pursue their course of action.
The turbulent events leading up to this decision occurred during a special parliamentary session convened for the approval of President Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet ministers. This includes key figures such as Ahmed Usham (Attorney General), Mohamed Saeed (Economic Minister), Dr. Ali Haidar (Housing Minister), and Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (Islamic Minister). The political turmoil surrounding the approval of these ministers adds an additional layer of complexity to the already volatile situation.
Support for the impeachment motion has been asserted by a total of 34 members, combining representatives from both the MDP and Democrats. This level of support is crucial, as the Maldives’ Constitution and Parliament standing orders dictate that the President can be impeached with 56 votes, a threshold that the opposition appears poised to meet with their combined strength of 56 MPs (43 from MDP and 13 from Democrats).
In tandem with the impeachment proceedings, the PNC and PPM have submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, both aligned with the MDP. The motions have received backing from 23 lawmakers, indicating a broader discontent within the Parliament. This move further intensifies the political turmoil, setting the stage for a potentially significant shift in leadership dynamics.
Amidst these political maneuvers, the Sunday session also witnessed a physical altercation between two Members of Parliament, Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem Shaheem, and Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa. The scuffle erupted when Shaheem stumbled and collided with Easa, resulting in injuries and hospitalization. Minority Leader Moosa Siraj intervened in an attempt to quell the confrontation, emphasizing the challenges faced by lawmakers in maintaining order and civility within the Parliament.
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