Maldives Opposition set to move motion to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu

New Delhi: In a major move, the Maldives Opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in the country's Parliament, has gathered signatures to submit a motion to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu, in what may keep local politics boiling in days to come.

This comes a day after clashes broke out in the Maldives' Parliament between pro-government MPs and opposition lawmakers over differences over the approval of four members of pro-China Muizzu's cabinet. Maldives votes to elect a new Parliament on March 17.

The MDP, in partnership with the other opposition party, The Democrats, has gathered enough signatures for an impeachment motion, ET has learnt. The Maldivian Parliament has a strength of 87 members. The MDP and Democrats, together, have 56 MPs between them; 43 MPs from MDP, and 13 from Democrats.


India is keeping a close watch on developments in its Southern neighbour whose stability is imperative for regional dynamics.

According to the Maldivian Constitution, the removal of the Maldivian President requires a resolution submitted by one-third of the Majlis members, stating the reasons for removal.

The resolution must then receive the support of two-thirds of the total membership of the Majlis. The president can be impeached with 56 votes.

On Sunday, the main opposition MDP decided to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of the President's cabinet ahead of the voting on the cabinet.

The decision of the opposition MDP and the Democrats' parliamentary group against approving some members of President Muizzu's cabinet, has led to the ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives and People's National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition affiliated parliamentarians to disrupt Parliament proceedings.