JP: Ready for coalition with Nasheed if necessary

Jumhoory Party (JP) denied rumors of soured relations between the party and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed on Thursday, stating the party was ready to form a coalition with the former president if necessary.

In a press conference on Thursday regarding the presentation of JP’s presidential ticket to the party’s leader Qasim Ibrahim, his advisor Ilham Ahmed denied there’s any friction between the party and Nasheed.

Ilham said JP remains engaged in negotiations with The Democrats – a new political party being formed with members from Nasheed’s Fikuregge Dhirun faction – which broke from the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) last month.

He said the only difference in opinion had been regarding switching to a parliamentary system.

“We remain in contact with President Nasheed. We remain engaged in talks with President Nasheed. We also remain in talks with other political parties,” he said.

Ilham said JP does not have problems with any political party.

“I believe this party will be ready if a coalition needs to be formed with President Nasheed. It might not be the best for me to say this here unilaterally. But I believe that’s what our thinking is,” he said.

Qasim will be presented with JP’s presidential ticket in a ceremony at the Alimas Carnival area in Male’ City on Friday night.

JP previously stated that even if it joined a coalition, it would be the party that leads the coalition. JP said it would not accept a coalition deal under any other circumstances.