President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls
The Majlis was earlier dominated by Maldivian Democratic Party, led by Muizzu’s pro-India predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
New Delhi : In what could cement Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-China stance, his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), won a landslide victory in the island nation’s parliamentary election yesterday.
The PNC, which contested 90 of the 93 seats in the Maldivian Parliament Majlis, won 66 of the 86 seats for which results were announced. This represents a more than two-thirds majority in the House. President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls
This victory will allow President Muizzu, who is perceived as anti-India, to push measures through parliament. The seat tally is reason for alarm in New Delhi, which has been monitoring Male’s shift toward Beijing since President Muizzu was elected last year.
Why This Result Is Important
The Majlis has supervisory powers over the Maldivian executive and can block presidential initiatives. Prior to this election, the PNC was part of a minority coalition in the House. This meant that, while being president, Muizzu lacked the political muscle to implement policies. President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls
The Majlis was then dominated by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by Muizzu’s pro-India predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which had 41 members. According to AFP, the MDP is on track for a humiliating defeat this time, winning only a dozen seats. President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls
Previously, while the MDP-dominated House thwarted several of Muizzu’s proposals, members of the Opposition publicly condemned his anti-India views. Muizzu’s senior adviser previously told AFP, “He (Muizzu) came to power on a promise to send back Indian troops, and he is working on it. The parliament has not cooperated. This finding alters that. President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls
This election was viewed as a test of Muizzu’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with China. Since entering office, the president has handed significant infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned enterprises. His party’s electoral triumph will clear the majority of his barriers.
Male’s Growing Tilt Towards Beijing
Since his election as president last year, Muizzu has increased the island’s outreach to Beijing, something New Delhi has watched with anxiety. Muizzu traveled to Beijing shortly after his election and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On his return, he stated, “We may be small, but that does not give them the right to bully us.” While he did not mention a specific country, the comment was seen as a jab at India.
President Muizzu also asked for the departure of some 80 Indian soldiers stationed on the island for humanitarian operations. President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls
Last month, however, Muizzu appeared to be offering an olive branch when he acknowledged India’s financial support for Male and stated that “India will remain the Maldives’ closest ally”. At the end of last year, the Maldives owed India approximately $400.9 million.
India has so far taken a measured approach, downplaying the tense relations. When asked about New Delhi-Male relations following Muizzu’s election, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar stated that neighbours need each other. “History and geography are extremely powerful factors. “There is no way out of that,” he replied.
Expanding their presence in the strategically located Maldives is important to China’s Indian Ocean effort, especially since the region has grown in geopolitical importance.
