MDP nominates former President Nasheed for Speaker

Colombo (News1st) - Following some political infighting the ruling Maldivian Democratic party has finally reached a consensus on who their Speaker and Deputy Speaker nominees should be. The infighting began when multiple candidates came forward to contest for the post of Speaker of the People's Majilis. Factions formed within the MDP following their landslide victory in April as members began to lobby for the post of Speaker. The battle intensified as incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former President Mohammad Nasheed backed two different front runners for the post of Speaker. With the new MPs of the 19th People’s Majlis to be sworn in later today, the parliamentary group of the MDP convened last evening under the auspices of former President Mohammad Nasheed,, the President of the MDP, who won a seat in parliament and was widely expected to be the parliamentary group leader of the MDP. During the meeting one of the front runners for the post of Speaker, Mohamed Aslam nominated Nasheed for the post of Speaker stating that he made the nomination in the interest of keeping the MDP united.  The nomination was also supported by MP Hassan Afeef , the other front runner for the post. After initially declining the nomination, former President Nasheed retired monetarily to make a phone call. Maldivian media speculates that the call was to President Solih. Following the conversation Nasheed returned and accepted the nomination for the post of Speaker. A vote was held thereafter and 64 of the 65 members present voted in favor of Nasheed for Speaker. MP Eva Abdulla also received 64 votes in favor of her serving as the deputy speaker. The MDP has a clear majority in the 19th parliament with 65 seats out of 87, the nominations are expected to pass easily in Parliament.