Firushan appointed The Democrats’ interim leader

The Democrats’ Deputy Leader Hussain Firushan has been appointed interim leader of the party on Monday night.

The post of Democrats’ leader became vacant after Hassan Latheef, who had been holding the post, left the party to rejoin main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Several top officials from Democrats, including Hassan Latheef, have left the party to rejoin MDP. They include MDP’s former chairperson Mohamed Shifaz (Shippe), former Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim and former STO Managing Director Hussan Amr.

Speaking with Sun, The Democrats’ Spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi) said the party’s National Council held a vote between the party’s deputy leaders, Firushan and Aishath Alaika, to elect who will temporarily assume the post of the party’s leader following the vacancy.

Firushan won the secret ballot held to elect The Democrats’ interim leader with 29 votes. Alaika had received 14 votes.

Imithiyaz said the party’s National Council has decided to elect a new party leader in 40 days, adding applications for the post will be opened in the next 10 days.

Imthiyaz acknowledged that the resignation of several senior members from The Democrats is deeply disappointing, but emphasized it would not bring that party to a halt. He expressed optimism that more political leaders will join the party in the future.

The Democrats were formed by a breakaway faction from MDP that supports former president Mohamed Nasheed, following ideological differences. 

Firushan, who was elected to represent the Madaveli constituency in the 19th parliamentary assembly on the MDP's ticket, was one of the lawmakers who left the MDP to join The Democrats. He ran for the South Hulhumale constituency in the most recent parliamentary election but lost the seat to MDP's candidate, Dr. Ahmed Shamheed.