Azim Accuse Ameer of Breaching Constitution Over Budget Session Absence

Ali Azim, the Parliamentary Group Leader of The Democrats, asserted that Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has allegedly violated the Constitution and should be held accountable, speaking at a news conference in Parliament today.

The controversy emerged after Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath advised the Finance Minister not to present the budget during the session, citing parliamentary rules stipulating that no further action could proceed without first moving an impeachment resolution.

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Azim further disputed any obstruction to the budgetary proceedings in parliament. He clarified that the motion of no confidence in Nasheed has yet to be introduced in the House, thus refuting claims that other parliamentary duties cannot proceed without a resolution on the no-confidence motion.

However, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) contends that once the motion is tabled and the requisite notice period elapses, no other parliamentary business can proceed without a decision on the matter. The MDP has filed a constitutional case in the Supreme Court seeking clarification on this interpretation.

Azim emphasised that the Finance Minister is obligated to present the annual budget to Parliament before November. He criticised the MDP’s handling of the situation, alleging non-compliance with the law and accusing them of deriding the incoming government.