Malé, Maldives – Parliamentary Group Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Ibrahim Falah declared today that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been delivered a “final blow” and will face complete defeat in next year’s local council elections.

Speaking during a session of the People’s Majlis (Parliament), Falah claimed that after the MDP’s defeat in 2023, former President Mohamed Nasheed is once again attempting to “revive” the party.

“We believe we have delivered the final blow to the MDP. We will completely defeat the MDP in the upcoming local council elections. We will completely defeat them,” Falah stated during his parliamentary address.

Political Realignment Continues

While Falah claimed the MDP has received its “final blow,” no PNC members have recently joined the opposition party. However, several senior figures from Nasheed’s Democrats Party have recently aligned themselves with the MDP.

Yesterday, the Democrats Party officially decided to allow its members to rejoin the MDP, with party leadership including Nasheed himself participating in this decision.

Democrats Party Resolution

The Democrats Party passed a resolution stating that the best approach to ensure success in next year’s local council elections, improve the country’s future, maintain an accountable government, and restore confidence in the multi-party democratic system is through strong opposition action.

The resolution emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, expressing the party’s intention to work with the MDP to achieve these objectives.

Background: The 2023 Split

According to MDP leadership and many members, the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential election was primarily attributed to disagreements between then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former President Nasheed, which led to Nasheed forming the Democrats Party and fielding a separate candidate.

Nasheed had signed with the Democrats Party on July 13, 2023, threatening to “bury” the MDP. During a meeting held that evening, he warned that the MDP had become “rotten like old wood” and declared his intention to destroy the party.

Current Political Landscape

The political realignment comes as the Maldives prepares for crucial local council elections next year, with both major parties positioning themselves for what promises to be a closely contested campaign. The reunification of opposition forces under the MDP banner represents a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics.

The PNC, currently the ruling party, appears confident in its electoral prospects, while the opposition works to consolidate its base following years of internal divisions.