With Yameen’s re-election bid in full swing, PPM appears stronger than ever
Ministers, lawmakers and heads of state-owned companies are out campaigning in the Maldives far-flung atolls and signing up new members in the capital.
12 Feb 2017, 9:00 AM
Ministers of President Abdulla Yameen’s cabinet, ruling party lawmakers and heads of state-owned enterprises hit Malé’s streets on Saturday outfitted in pink and white t-shirts emblazoned with the words “President Yameen 2018” and armed with clipboards and pens to canvass support for the Progressive Party of the Maldives.
By the end of the day, they had signed up some 11,000 new members.
The PPM, after three years of turmoil and crises that threatened the president’s hold on power, now appears stronger than ever.
Having successfully petitioned the courts to delay January’s local council elections and wresting control of PPM from former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom when he refused to grant his half-brother the party’s presidential ticket, Yameen’s re-election bid and the party’s campaign for local councils is in full swing. Primaries were held in 64 of the 276 constituencies, and ministers and lawmakers are being dispatched to the Maldives’ far-flung atolls: In January, the housing minister paid a visit to some 13 islands in the northern Haa Dhaal Atoll, and the environment minister toured Alif Dhaal Atoll. In two islands, a group of people staged muted protests, but were quickly dispersed. In Lhaviyani Atoll, lawmakers are planning a volleyball competition titled “President Yameen 2018 Challenge” for March.
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