The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats commit to work together on the below issues:
Commit to limiting the size of the Parliament. The number of seats in the current Parliament is 87; the next Parliament of 2024, will hold 93 seats. We believe there is need to review the projected and unlimited growth in the number of MPs and Parliamentary constituencies.
Commit to passing legislation on regulating the governance of State- Owned Enterprises
Commit to legislation on limiting the number of political appointees by Governments.
To this end, MPs of the two parties, who together hold 55 seats in the 87- member house, have requested for an extraordinary sitting of the Parliament to begin work on the legislation, and to bring the necessary constitutional amendments.
In a joint press conference held earlier today- by the Chairperson, former Minister Fayyaz Ismail, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, MP Ahmed Saleem from the MDP, along with the MP Hassan Latheef, President of the party, and the Parliamentary Group Leader, MP Ali Azim of The Democrats- also expressed concern on a number of issues:
the direction in foreign policy: the current administration appears to be making a stark pivot towards an anti- India stance. Both the MDP and The Democrats believe alienating any development partner, and especially the country’s most long- standing ally will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country. Consecutive governments of the country must be able to work with all development partners for the benefit of the people of the Maldives, as the Maldives has traditionally done. Stability and security in the Indian ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives.
the government’s projected spending, without identifying any foreseeable new revenue measures.
lack of transparency in the financial status of the state
lack of transparency in the MOUs and Agreements that the Government is signing, especially, with foreign parties
the delaying in releasing the flats and land plots allocated to Male residents
the unlimited appointment of political appointees
the attempts at censoring the media and meddling with freedom of the press
The MDP and The Democrats believe the Parliament has a central role in correcting the direction of the Government on these issues, and on any steps that are detrimental to the wellbeing and economic prosperity of the people and the country.