The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party in the Maldives, holding a parliamentary majority, has collected sufficient signatures to present an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu, according to local media reports.
The looming impeachment motion targets President Muizzu, perceived as pro-China, and is expected to be formally submitted to parliament soon.
This development comes after a chaotic incident in the Maldivian Parliament on Sunday, where lawmakers got into fights.
The disruption occurred during a special session convened to seek parliamentary approval for Muizzu's cabinet ministers. Members of the ruling alliance, consisting of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), clashed with representatives from the MDP.
Several videos have appeared from inside the parliament that captured violent physical assaults taking place between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem.
The fight began when Shaheem grabbed Isa's leg and they fell on the ground, followed by kicks and hair-pulling. The ministers survived injuries and had to be taken to hospital for medical attention.
Mohamed Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives on November 17, 2023. The president is widely perceived as having a favourable stance towards China's interests in the country and less favourably disposed towards India.
