In a  joint press statement released on The Democrats' website, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats have affirmed their commitment to collaborate on crucial national issues.

Holding a combined total of 55 seats in the 87-member Parliament, the parties detailed their shared agenda and outlined key areas of focus.

Collaborative Commitments and Legislative Goals:

Parliamentary Size Restriction: Both parties commit to a collaborative effort in limiting the size of the Parliament.

The forthcoming 2024 Parliament will witness a review to prevent an excessive increase in the number of MPs and constituencies.

State-Owned Enterprises Regulation: A shared commitment includes the passage of legislation regulating the governance of State-Owned Enterprises, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability.

Control on Political Appointments: Legislative efforts will be directed towards restricting the number of political appointees made by Governments, promoting efficiency and meritocracy.

To initiate these legislative changes, a joint request for an extraordinary Parliament sitting has been submitted by MPs from both parties.

Joint Press Conference Highlights:

Earlier today, a joint press conference featured key representatives, including former Minister Fayyaz Ismail, Deputy Speaker MP Ahmed Saleem from MDP, President MP Hassan Latheef, and Parliamentary Group Leader MP Ali Azim of The Democrats.

The conference addressed several pressing concerns:

Foreign Policy Direction: Expressing concern, both parties highlighted a perceived shift towards an anti-India stance in the current administration.

Emphasizing the importance of working with all development partners, the parties stressed the need for stability and security in the Indian Ocean.

Government Spending and Transparency: Concerns were raised about the government's projected spending without identifying foreseeable new revenue measures.

Lack of transparency in the financial status of the state and undisclosed MOUs and Agreements with foreign parties were also flagged.

Citizen Welfare Issues: Issues such as delayed allocation of flats and land plots for Male residents, unlimited political appointments, and attempts at censoring the media were addressed as pressing concerns affecting the wellbeing and economic prosperity of the people.

The MDP and The Democrats firmly believe that the Parliament plays a central role in rectifying these issues and safeguarding the interests of the people and the nation.

The joint initiative marks a collaborative effort to address critical challenges facing the Maldives.