In a dramatic turn of events, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party in the Maldives, has gathered enough signatures to initiate an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu. The move follows a recent outbreak of violence in the Maldives Parliament, where pro-government MPs clashed with opposition members, disrupting proceedings.
The impeachment motion, supported by 34 members from both the MDP and Democrats, is poised to be a significant development in the political landscape of the Maldives. The clash in Parliament occurred during a special session convened to seek approval for ministers in President Muizzu’s cabinet, leading to chaos and physical altercations among lawmakers.
The video footage of the parliamentary brawl has gone viral, depicting lawmakers in suits and ties engaged in a heated physical confrontation. The violence erupted after the MDP decided to withhold parliamentary approval for cabinet ministers, prompting a protest from pro-government MPs.
The ruling coalition, consisting of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), retaliated by filing no-confidence motions against the Parliament’s Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, both belonging to the MDP. The political tension escalated, with the ruling coalition emphasizing that denying approval to the cabinet would obstruct government services to citizens.
The impeachment motion against President Muizzu reflects the growing dissatisfaction with his pro-China stance, which has drawn criticism from India-friendly opposition parties. The MDP and Democrats, with a total of 56 MPs, have the necessary votes as per Maldives’ Constitution and Parliament standing orders to initiate impeachment proceedings.
President Muizzu’s anti-India policy, marked by the ‘India Out’ campaign and demands for the removal of Indian military personnel, has strained diplomatic relations. The opposition parties, in a joint press statement, expressed concern over alienating development partners, particularly the country’s long-standing ally, India.
As the political turmoil unfolds, the Maldives faces a crucial period, balancing internal tensions with external diplomatic challenges. The outcome of the impeachment motion will shape the future trajectory of the nation’s leadership and its geopolitical alliances. The global community closely watches the developments in the Maldives, recognizing the significance of stability in this strategically located island nation.