The Democrats (Maldives)

The Democrats (Dhivehi: ދަ ޑިމޮކްރެޓްސް) are a political party in the Maldives, formed by a faction within the Maldivian Democratic Party[1] amid a rift between members who supported Mohamed Nasheed. Some of their members were pending expulsion from the party after voting against the party-line and voting to oust sitting cabinet ministers of president Solih's cabinet.[2][3]

For other uses, see Democrat (disambiguation).

The Democrats
ދަ ޑިމޮކްރެޓްސް
AbbreviationDEMS
LeaderMohamed Nasheed
ChairpersonHassan Latheef
FoundedMay 21, 2023 (2023-05-21)
Split fromMaldivian Democratic Party
Youth wingThe Young Democrats
IdeologyLiberal conservatism
Parliamentarism
Political positionCentre-right
ColorsBaby Blue, Black, White
People’s Majilis
12 / 87
Website
https://thedemocrats.mv/

The party nominated Ilyas Labeeb for its presidential ticket in the 2023 Maldivian Presidential Election.

History

Founding

The party was founded in 2023 by 12 members who were originally members of a faction in Maldivian Democratic Party loyal to Mohamed Nasheed.[4]

The members of the party favour a parliamentary system of government, which was what initially caused the rift between the group, originally within the Maldivian Democratic Party. The rift then became more apparent after the members of the group started openly criticizing the MDP government and several cabinet ministers.

The group was originally a sizable minority within the party, but were unable to secure the party's Chairperson post and were later unable to secure the MDP's ticket for the 2023 election after running Mohamed Nasheed against the president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the party primaries.

After party leadership threatened to oust key members of their group from the MDP, a group of members formed The Democrats. During the initial party formation, Mohamed Nasheed was still apart of the MDP, a party he played a key role in founding. Despite this, Nasheed was actively involved im The Democrats’ political activities and campaign.

He left the party soon after on July 17 of 2023, noting that “it was not the right thing to do.” He also later established that he wishes to “tear down the party.”[5][6]

Electoral history

President elections
Election Party candidate Running mate Votes % Votes % Result
First Round Second Round
2023 Ilyas Labeeb Hussain Amr 15,539 7.07% — Lost Red XN

References
  1. "Will 'The Democrats' Reconfigure the Maldives' Political Landscape?". The Diplomat. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  2. "The Democrats submit forms to register party". Avas. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  3. "The Democrats confident in forming new party and contesting elections". The Edition. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  4. "What Mohammed Nasheed's breakaway party means for democracy in Maldives". Firstpost. June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  5. "Nasheed joins The Democrats". One Online. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  6. "Nasheed promises to tear down MDP". The Times of Addu. July 14, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
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