Nasheed seeks opinion on running for presidency

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed interest in contesting the next presidential election.

In a message sent to senior figures of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats, Nasheed shared his intention and sought their opinion.

“I intend to contest the election. What is your opinion? Whatever your answer, it won’t affect our relationship,” Nasheed said in his message.

Currently serving as the Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Nasheed has been living in Ghana for the past year. He stated that during this time, he has not engaged in political activities related to either MDP or The Democrats.

Nasheed, who was elected President in 2008 after defeating Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, resigned in 2012 following public unrest triggered by the arrest of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed. In 2013, he ran for president again but was defeated by Abdulla Yameen, who led a large coalition.

During Yameen’s administration, Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges, making him ineligible to contest the 2018 election. That election was won by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

During Solih’s presidency, Nasheed served as the Speaker of Parliament and led the MDP. However, internal rifts grew, and Nasheed eventually lost control of the party. This led to a political fallout with Solih and, in June 2023, Nasheed left MDP to form a new party, The Democrats.

Nasheed had pledged to dismantle MDP and worked to prevent its success in the presidential election. The Democrats contested separately in the first round of the 2023 election but failed to make a significant impact. Since then, they have also failed to secure any seats in the parliamentary elections.

More recently, Nasheed has expressed that uniting MDP and The Democrats would be the best path forward for the country. Following this, some leaders of The Democrats have rejoined the MDP.