“Political Turmoil in Maldives: Opposition Threatens Impeachment of Pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu Sparks Crisis”

Maldives is in a state of political upheaval as the Opposition contemplates impeachment proceedings against President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance. The coalition government, comprising the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), vehemently opposes any attempts to remove President Muizzu through Parliament.

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The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), holding a parliamentary majority, plans to submit a motion for Muizzu’s impeachment, as reported in Monday’s media. PPM Parliamentary Group leader, Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem), asserted, “They will have to kill us all first before they can even think of removing the President from office.”

This political turmoil follows clashes in Parliament on Sunday over disagreements concerning the approval of four members of the pro-China President’s cabinet. On Monday, only one of these cabinet members received approval, prompting protests from pro-government MPs and obstructing the parliamentary session.

MDP and The Democrats’ parliamentary group decided to withhold approval for four cabinet members, leading to the unanimous decision to submit an impeachment motion during the MDP’s parliamentary group meeting on Monday. Notably, a minimum of 53 votes is required within parliament to impeach a sitting president.

The recent amendment of standing orders in the Maldives Parliament facilitates the submission of an impeachment motion. Together, MDP and Democrats hold 56 out of 87 parliamentary seats, intensifying the political landscape. The move for impeachment follows the PPM-PNC coalition’s submission of no-confidence motions against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and deputy speaker Ahmed Saleem a day earlier, endorsed by 23 lawmakers.

As political tensions rise, the Maldives Parliamentary elections are scheduled for mid-March. President Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China leader who assumed office on November 17 last year, had formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel, citing a “strong mandate” from the Maldivian people.