Forming coalitions is a feature of parliamentary system: Maumoon

President of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that forming coalitions is a feature of the parliamentary system of government, and not a feature of the presidential system of government.

Speaking to reporters at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport upon his return from PPM’s campaign trip to Addu City, Maumoon said that the Maldives has a presidential system of government which means that political parties must compete individually in presidential elections.

He said that the best example of a presidential system of government exists in the United States, and parties have never formed coalitions in the United States.

“Forming coalitions is not a feature of the presidential system. In a presidential system, parties must compete individually. Have you ever heard of a coalition being formed in the U.S.? That’s the country with the best example of a presidential system. Forming coalitions is a feature of the parliamentary system. If the elected prime minister fails to get majority support in the parliament, he will form coalitions with other parties in order to get majority support. It’s a feature of parliamentary system. It’s not really a feature of the presidential system,” said Maumoon.

Maumoon said that discussions had been held with some parties in relation to forming coalitions, but no agreement had been reached in this regard with any party.