Adam Azim, the candidate for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), defeated President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress to become the new mayor of Male in a major political move.
OVERVIEW:
- Adam Azim, the MDP candidate,
- wins the mayoralty of Male; President Muizzu is harmed by this defeat.
- Election outcomes could improve the MDP’s standing in politics
In a severe blow to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, oppostion party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate Adam Azim won the mayoral elections in Male amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff with India. According to news agency, Muizzu resigned from his position in 2023 to run for president.
“Landslip” and “victory by a large margin” were used to describe Azim’s triumph. In contrast to his opponent, Aishath Azima Shakoor of Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC), who received 3,301 votes, Azim’s victory came from 5,303 ballots out of 41 boxes counted.
The election had a low turnout and took place in the middle of a dispute that began after three Muizzu administration deputy ministers made disparaging remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remarks sparked a social media controversy in India and demands for Indian tourists to avoid the Maldives. In terms of sheer numbers, Indian tourists came in first, then Russians and Chinese in third.
Following these remarks, Muizzu suspended the three ministers and, while on a recent state visit to China, worked to improve Maldives’ relations with Beijing. During his press conference, Muizzu announced that China has given the Maldives $130 million in help. According to him, the majority of this money would go towards building roads in Male. The remaining portion will go towards other development initiatives.
“The two sides agree to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests,” the top Chinese leaders and Muizzu said in a joint statement following their meeting. Additionally, a deal was signed by the two nations allowing Maldivian, the official airline of the Maldives, to operate domestic flights within China.
In addition to constructing 30,000 social housing units in Rasmale, Muizzu’s journey to China resulted in the signing of a $50 million deal between the two nations to develop a tourism zone in Hulhumale. In addition to the diplomatic stalemate with India, the EU Election Observation Mission of the Maldives produced a report that soured his visit to China.
According to the report, in the 2023 presidential elections, which Muizzu won, the ruling coalition of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) exploited anti-Indian emotions and attempted to spread misinformation.
Referring to India and the ongoing diplomatic spat between the two nations, the president of the Maldives claimed that even if his nation is small, this “doesn’t give them the licence to bully us” after his visit to China.
Muizzu, a prominent pro-China figure, stated, “We may be small, but this doesn’t give them the licence to bully us,” without mentioning any particular nation. This sea does not belong to any one nation. In what appeared to be a jab at India, he stated, “This (Indian) Ocean also belongs to all countries situated in it.”