Opposition threatens no-confidence motion against president

The opposition alliance has announced the decision to submit a no-confidence motion against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In a press conference Thursday, People’s National Congress (PNC)’s deputy leader, Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef Umar said the shift in Maldives’ stand in the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius proved President Solih to be “a traitor to the nation”.

Adam Shareef said the case has led to the loss of public confidence in President Solih, Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath, and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

He said the opposition would work to hold the government accountable over the issue.

The opposition had submitted a no-confidence motion against Riffath last week, and one against Shahid on Thursday.

According to Article 100 (a) of the Constitution, a petition for dismissal of the president or vice president requires the endorsement of at least one-thirds of the Parliament for submission.

With the 56 pro-government MPs in the Parliament, the passage of a no-confidence motion against appears unlikely.