Maldives president: opposition looks to oust government in upcoming elections

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has called on the public to grant the ruling coalition a majority and said the opposition is seeking a parliamentary majority in order to oust the government, local media reported here on Monday. Last November Yameen beat Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate and former President Mohammad Nasheed after a prolonged election battle lasting nearly three months. However, the MDP still maintains a majority in parliament. Speaking at a campaign event, Yameen said parliamentary approval is essential for development projects and said the government cannot bring development without parliament's cooperation, local media outlet Minivan news reported. Former President Mohamed Nasheed, while campaigning on behalf of the MDP, denied his party would seek to obstruct development should it win a majority in the house. The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and its allies the Jumhooree Party (JP) and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) are contesting the March parliamentary elections as a group, with 50 of the 85 seats allocated to the PPM, 28 to the JP and 8 to the MDA. Yameen also launched a scathing criticism of the first democratically elected parliament, claiming the Maldivian public had lost confidence in the current parliament. Salaries and allowances of MPs do not match their work, he said, while calling on the public to elect courageous and educated individuals who are willing to work against corruption. "Maldivian citizens do not want the People's Majlis (parliament) to be a place where people who have committed huge crimes or committed offenses against the law go to get immunity," he said. At a separate campaign event, former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed requested that the public give the coalition a majority. Waheed, who had been vice president, came to power in February 2012 when MDP leader and former President Mohammad Nasheed was ousted in the aftermath of a police mutiny. Meanwhile, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Yameen's stepbrother asked independents who are contesting elections to withdraw their names and support coalition candidates instead.