Choosing Sides

Listen to Today's Edition:

The party of the Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu won a landslide in Sunday’s parliamentary election, inverting the balance of power domestically and internationally as it will likely strengthen the current government’s pro-China stance, the Associated Press reported.

Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) won 70 out of 93 seats, defeating former President Ibrahim Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is set to win 15 seats, down from 65. With a more than two-thirds majority in parliament, Muizzu will be easily able to pass legislation, observers said.

The election was closely monitored by the two regional powers: India and China. Muizzu and his party are pro-China, ran on an “India Out” platform, and have accused Solih of having sold out to New Delhi.

Earlier this year, President Muizzu asked Indian troops stationed in the Maldives to withdraw. Dozens of military personnel had been stationed in the Maldives to operate helicopters donated by India and assist in sea rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, Muizzu visited China earlier this year and negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and inbound flights from China.

Still, parliament has the power to block the president’s initiatives, NDTV explained. Muizzu faced legislative scrutiny after he came to power last year.