Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has stated there is no room for a parliamentary system of governance in the Maldives. He made the remarks after Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed expressed desire to hold another referendum to choose a system of governance.
In a tweet, Former President Maumoon said the most suitable and beneficial system of governance for the Maldives is a presidential system, as decided by the people through a referendum in 2007. Therefore, he said there is no room for a parliamentary system in the country.
Speaker Nasheed, who is also a former president, has been a strong advocate for the establishment of a parliamentary system in the Maldives. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to establish a parliamentary system and become prime minister.
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.