Solih Announces Bid for MDP’s 2028 Presidential Primary Amid Growing Competition

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced his intention to contest in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s presidential primary for the 2028 presidential election.

The announcement was made during a meeting with supporters, and comes at a time of heightened competition within the main opposition party. MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has also declared his candidacy, while speculation continues over whether party leader Abdulla Shahid will enter the race.

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The timing of Solih’s decision coincides with the return of former president Mohamed Nasheed and his supporters to the MDP. The group had previously split to form The Democrats in 2023 following internal divisions. The MDP is scheduled to host a formal event to welcome them back.

Nasheed has also expressed interest in contesting the upcoming presidential election. During a recent national assembly meeting, The Democrats passed a resolution agreeing to rejoin the MDP, citing the need to build a stronger opposition and restore public confidence in the political system.

The MDP’s national council held an unofficial meeting to discuss the development, during which no objections were raised to The Democrats’ return.

Solih and Nasheed, once political allies, became rivals in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, with Nasheed losing the party’s ticket to Solih. The fallout led to the formation of The Democrats in June 2023. Although Nasheed later stepped back from active politics to assume an international post, he has remained politically active and has recently called for greater cooperation between the two groups.