Spokesperson at the President's Office Mohamed Mabrook Azeez has stated President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih prioritises fulfilling his pledges, and is not interested in changing the system of governance.
At a press conference held at the President's Office, Spokesperson Mabrook Azeez said the President is currently working to fix the economic difficulties faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The spokesperson said the President's response on the calls for a change in governing system shows his focus is on economic recovery and fulfilling his pledges, rather than a change of system.
Last month, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed sent a message to President Solih expressing his desire to change the currently established presidential system to a parliamentary system. In his message, Speaker Nasheed expressed his desire to become the Prime Minister upon the establishment of a parliamentary system of governance. In response, President Solih stated the system of governance can only be changed by a public vote, as the current system of governance was also decided by the public.
Before the ratification of the new constitution, a public referendum was conducted in 2007 to decide on a system of governance to be followed in the Maldives. 95,619 people voted to have a presidential system, while 58,504 people voted for a parliamentary system.