Majlis breaks for recess after approving central bank governor
After heated exchanges descended into brawls Wednesday morning, opposition and pro-government lawmakers accused each other today of throwing eggs.
24 Aug 2017, 9:00 AM
The People’s Majlis broke for a one-month recess Thursday after voting on the president’s nominee for central bank governor amid continuing protests by opposition lawmakers.
Ahmed Naseer was approved to the vacant post with 33 votes in favour from the 85-member house as opposition lawmakers protested behind a wall of soldiers surrounding embattled Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed.
Maseeh has been conducting the Majlis under military guard since a no-confidence motion against him was controversially deemed invalid by the disqualification of four lawmakers. Several lawmakers have also been jailed and put on trial after the four-party opposition coalition secured a majority for Maseeh’s impeachment with defections from the divided ruling party.
Adjourning the brief sitting, Maseeh declared that he would remain resolute and steadfast “for the sake of Islam and the nation” in the face of intimidation, difficulty or attempts to exert influence. He also announced that a no-confidence motion against the attorney general could only be tabled after the Majlis standing orders are amended in light of a Supreme Court ruling.
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