Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is facing the threat of losing his post after an impeachment motion is set to be filed in Parliament by the Opposition, according to local media reports. The development has come a day after high-voltage drama unfolded in Parliament.
The main opposition party of the Maldives, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in Parliament, has gathered enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, reported ANI citing local media outlets on Monday.
The MDP in partnership with the Democrats have gathered signatures for an impeachment motion, according to a report by The Sun. The impeachment motion against the president has received support from a total of 34 members, including representatives from both the MDP and Democrats.
“The MDP, in partnership with the Democrats, have gathered enough signatures for an impeachment motion. However, they have yet to submit it,” the report said, quoting a lawmaker from the MDP.
The decision to submit an impeachment motion was taken unanimously in the parliamentary group meeting of the MDP held on Monday, The Edition.mv reported.
After the parliament proceedings were disrupted on Sunday, the MDP had decided that it would deny approval to Ali Ihusan, the home minister, and Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, the defence minister, if government lawmakers continue to disrupt Parliament, according to The Sun.
Adhahdhu, an online local media portal, reported that a heavy police force was deployed inside the Maldivian parliament after a conflict between political leaders broke out on Sunday.
Before the latest parliament proceedings, police personnel were seen assembling outside the Parliament complex carrying protective shields, as seen in the video shared by Adhahdhu, as reported by ANI.
The Maldives parliament had violence earlier on Sunday when government MPs (PPM/PNC party) disrupted the proceedings and Speakers. A crucial vote on parliamentary approval for the Muizzu government was set for Sunday.
The Maldivian leaders were shown kicking and punching each other during the violent skirmishes between the parliamentarians in the video. One video showed a fight between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem.
In one video, Shaheem can be seen gripping Isa’s leg and the two falling together, whereas another visual that went viral on social media showed Isa kicking Shaheem’s neck and pulling his hair.
On Sunday. PNC and PPM submitted a no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem — both of whom belong to MDP. A total of 23 lawmakers endorsed the motions.
Amid a confrontation, a scuffle broke out on Sunday between Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem Shaheem and Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, triggered when the former stumbled and inadvertently collided with Easa.
The altercation resulted in injuries to Shaheem’s head as both parliamentarians fell near the chamber. Minority leader Moosa Siraj intervened in an attempt to halt the scuffle. Subsequently, Shaheem was reportedly taken to the hospital, according to the available reports.
