Foreign minister survives no-confidence motion
10 Nov 2009, 8:24 AM
Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed has narrowly survived a vote of no-confidence initiated by the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party-People’s Alliance (DRP-PA) coalition.
Of the 73 MPs in attendance, 37 MPs voted in favour of the motion, two abstained and the rest did not participate in the vote. A majority of the full membership of parliament, or 39 votes, was needed to remove the foreign minister.
The DRP-PA coalition has 35 MPs. The independents who voted in favour of the motion were Eydhafushi MP Ahmed “Redwave” Saleem, Guraidhoo MP Ibrahim Riza, Kurendhoo MP Ahmed Moosa and Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir.
As speaker, Keyodhoo MP Abdullah Shahid of the DRP could not vote, while Feydhoo MP Alhan Fahmy of the same party joined the MDP MPs and other independents in not participating in the vote.
The two MPs who abstained were Kulhudhufushi South MP Mohamed Nasheed, an independent, and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim of the Republican Party.
Presenting the motion, Thohdhoo MP Ali Waheed of the DRP said it was based on allegations that the foreign minister misled the public regarding ties with Israel and placed his personal interest first.
Presenting the motion, Thohdhoo MP Ali Waheed of the DRP said it was based on allegations that the foreign minister misled the public regarding ties with Israel and placed his personal interest first.
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