The religious conservative Adhaalath Party decided last night to accept President Solih’s invitation for negotiations, to forming an MDP led coalition for the upcoming presidential election.

In a brief statement released by Adhaalath last night, it was announced that the party’s council decided to participate in talks with the ruling party, prior to a formal endorsement for President Solih.

“Prior to giving a full endorsement for MDP Presidential candidate, given the successful policies the current government has implemented, the party council decided to enter into a discussions on President’s request for support ” the statement read.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Sunday sent a letter to all existing coalition partners, inviting them join hands with him for another MDP led coalition for the upcoming presidential election. These include Maldives’ Republican Party, Jumhooree Party (JP), Adhaalath Party and the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

President Solih, who won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory against MDP president Mohamed Nasheed, has been handed over the MDP 2023 presidential ticket on 17th February.

President Solih won the ruling MDP presidential election held on 28 February 2023, by receiving 61 per cent of the total votes cast, while President Nasheed received 15,641 votes, which amounts to 38.90 percent of the total vote. President Solih received 24,566 votes.

During the Primary campaign president repeatedly expressed his interest to join hands with the current coalition partners, in his bid for reelection. The MDP National Assembly has handed over him all the powers to consult with political parties.

President also said he intends to win the upcoming presidential election without having to run for a second round and he urged coalition parties remain united for the stability and development of the country.

No coalition party has so far decided on the presidential election. The largest coalition party other than MDP, the Jumhooree Party, led by Gasim Ibarahim had earlier said that a decision will be made after the JP national conference starting next Friday.