The largest opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will delay a decision on whether to support a joint presidential candidate from the National Unity Alliance until after the April 25 vote for the party candidacy.
Dr Ahmed Shaheed, former foreign minister and spokesman for the Alliance – which encompasses five opposition political groups – has said the MDP’s decision means the whole Alliance will put the issue on hold.
But MDP and Alliance officials say they remain optimistic on the prospects for a single candidate to consolidate the opposition despite any policy differences, though Shaheed warns “mutual recrimination” between rival candidates in the early stages could impede prospects for a united campaign later.
The MDP’s decision was made at its National Council meeting on Wednesday night, the first time the party had formally addressed the idea of an Alliance candidate.
But the groups which make up the Alliance had held several meetings to discuss options for a joint campaign ahead of the country’s first multi-party presidential elections, expected later this year.
Shaheed added on Thursday: “A lot hinges on who the winner of the MDP ticket is...not everybody campaigning for the MDP slot is in favour of an early identification of a single candidate.”
MDP President Dr Mohamed Munavvar, who is standing for the nomination, told Minivan News: “I would support the idea of a single candidate, given the hold of the DRP [Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party, led by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom] on the population as a whole.”
“Certainly since I’m the president of the MDP, I would like to see such a candidate elected by the MDP,” he added.
Meanwhile former party chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has recently said the unity of the Alliance will be a central plank of his campaign, adding he would be prepared to support a non-MDP joint candidate.
However the third contender, Reeko Moosa, has said simply: “The party will decide.”
With the current administration in power for thirty years, opposition politicians have argued unity is necessary to present a strong alternative.
But Shaheed claims the strength of the incumbent is a “myth,” and that if a “natural front runner” emerges, this may make a unity candidate unnecessary.
There are currently “too many imponderables out there for leaders to make a final decision about their future,” he adds. “Four leaders will have to forego their immediate ambitions, and there is no overwhelming front runner yet.”
Of the five groups which make up the Alliance, four contain presidential hopefuls. Hassan Saeed, Shaheed’s “political partner”, is campaigning as an independent candidate but has used the “New Maldives” brand, whilst Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) has said he will stand on his fledgling Social Liberal Party’s ticket.
With Umar Naseer already campaigning for the Islamic Democratic Party, the religious Adhaalath (Justice) Party is the only body to have said it will field no candidate, committing to endorsing one from another group.
Dr Ahmed Shaheed, former foreign minister and spokesman for the Alliance – which encompasses five opposition political groups – has said the MDP’s decision means the whole Alliance will put the issue on hold.
But MDP and Alliance officials say they remain optimistic on the prospects for a single candidate to consolidate the opposition despite any policy differences, though Shaheed warns “mutual recrimination” between rival candidates in the early stages could impede prospects for a united campaign later.
The MDP’s decision was made at its National Council meeting on Wednesday night, the first time the party had formally addressed the idea of an Alliance candidate.
But the groups which make up the Alliance had held several meetings to discuss options for a joint campaign ahead of the country’s first multi-party presidential elections, expected later this year.
Shaheed added on Thursday: “A lot hinges on who the winner of the MDP ticket is...not everybody campaigning for the MDP slot is in favour of an early identification of a single candidate.”
MDP President Dr Mohamed Munavvar, who is standing for the nomination, told Minivan News: “I would support the idea of a single candidate, given the hold of the DRP [Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party, led by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom] on the population as a whole.”
“Certainly since I’m the president of the MDP, I would like to see such a candidate elected by the MDP,” he added.
Meanwhile former party chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has recently said the unity of the Alliance will be a central plank of his campaign, adding he would be prepared to support a non-MDP joint candidate.
However the third contender, Reeko Moosa, has said simply: “The party will decide.”
With the current administration in power for thirty years, opposition politicians have argued unity is necessary to present a strong alternative.
But Shaheed claims the strength of the incumbent is a “myth,” and that if a “natural front runner” emerges, this may make a unity candidate unnecessary.
There are currently “too many imponderables out there for leaders to make a final decision about their future,” he adds. “Four leaders will have to forego their immediate ambitions, and there is no overwhelming front runner yet.”
Of the five groups which make up the Alliance, four contain presidential hopefuls. Hassan Saeed, Shaheed’s “political partner”, is campaigning as an independent candidate but has used the “New Maldives” brand, whilst Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) has said he will stand on his fledgling Social Liberal Party’s ticket.
With Umar Naseer already campaigning for the Islamic Democratic Party, the religious Adhaalath (Justice) Party is the only body to have said it will field no candidate, committing to endorsing one from another group.
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