In a surprising turn of events, Mohamed Muizzu, the president of the Maldives, has emerged victorious in the parliamentary polls, with his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), set to secure a “super majority” in the People’s Majlis. This outcome is seen as a significant blow to India, as Muizzu’s government has been moving away from the country’s traditional India First policy and towards closer ties with China.
The PNC’s victory comes at a time when the Maldives’ political landscape is deeply divided, with even Muizzu’s mentor, Abdulla Yameen, forming his own party in opposition to the president. The results mark a setback for the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which had hoped to retain majority in Parliament and provide strong oversight of the executive.
With the PNC winning over 60 seats in the 93-member Majlis, Muizzu now has a strong mandate to push forward his government’s agenda, including its foreign policy decisions such as expelling Indian troops from the Maldives. The MDP, on the other hand, has accused Muizzu of undermining democratic values and principles, and failing in both domestic and foreign policy.
As the Maldives grapples with this political shift, the international community will be closely watching to see how Muizzu’s government navigates its new-found power and relationships with China and India. The outcome of these elections could have far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.