Ruling Coalition Withdraws No-Confidence Motions Against Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Photo: People’s Majilis
The ruling coalition comprising the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) has retracted the no-confidence motions lodged against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem.
These motions were tabled on January 28 with the support of 23 lawmakers following the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) issuance of a three-line whip, which denied approval to certain members of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s cabinet. The ensuing turmoil within the Parliament saw physical altercations captured on camera.
Both Aslam and Saleem, who are affiliated with the MDP, were formally notified of the motions last week.
However, as of Wednesday, Aslam has confirmed that the ruling coalition has opted to withdraw these motions.
The PPM-PNC coalition had asserted that Aslam’s rejection of the initial committee report endorsing the cabinet ministers’ approval in December violated the Parliament’s standing orders.
The rationale behind retracting the motions remains unclear.
In the preceding month, the MDP and opposition Democrats, wielding a substantial majority in Parliament, garnered adequate signatures for the impeachment of President Muizzu. Yet, the formal submission of this motion is still pending.