Yesterday we voted in the first multi-party presidential elections in our country's history. Today we wake up to a new dawn of promises, affectionately known as aneh dhivehi raaje or the 'other' Maldives.
The country is in need of change and with the new constitution in place, change was certainly coming. Although yesterday a significant majority decided that it was not only the system that needed to change and that we needed a new leader as well to bring about change.
Few years ago, it was unthinkable that a person from outside the ranks of the government could succeed Mr. Gayoom as the leader of this nation. It was seen as an impossible task for someone to transform from being an activist to a political leader.
Anni has today proved that the 'then' unthinkable is in fact achievable. He has successfully transformed himself from being a political activist to the leader of a nation, much in need for political, sociological and economic stability. With the coalition in place it would seem that he is well positioned to provide the country with just that.
Although, a lot depends on the success and the strength of the coalition. I am somewhat skeptical about the sustainability of a coalition that is formed with factions of very difference schools of thought. For one, how well the liberal democratic ideas of MDP sits with the conservative mindset of Adaalath remains to be seen.
As a result of us having a presidential system of government, the mandate lies with Anni himself. Not the coalition. Anni has to be a strong leader able to make tough choices if he is to hold his coalition together. But does he need the coalition to be together? Perhaps not! Although a lot will depend on the result of the Parliamentary Elections to be held in February. A power shift within the coalition itself is bound to happen based on the winnings in February. The stronger showing MDP can make in the elections, the lesser will be its need for the coalition.
Lets wait and see how it all unfolds. Interesting it shall certainly be!
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6 comments:
hey shahdybe
this is amy from jeymuge. . . welcome to blogging with the dawn of the "other" maldives
:D
we have no choice but to see what the "other" maldives has in store for us
You are right. I, just a long-time observer, am stunned. There must be an odd sense of not-quite-believing-what-has-just-happened there.
Very good to read the president conceding graciously. For me, the liberation is as much about his 'close colleagues' getting the boot.
I would like to hear from you more on the constitutional set-up as it relates to presidential powers, parliament and coalitions. With disparate interests having backed Anni in the run-off, what pressure can they bring to bear? Perhaps by making parliament unworkable until their grievances are addressed?
thanks for your comments amynabi. i see that you are very prolific in the blogsphere to whim i am quite new.
adrian: Indeed. For me, one of the most interesting features of the 'other maldives' setup is the coalition. I am very keen to see how it will function in the next weeks, months and possibly years. i will certainly keep following it and will share my thoughts here.
Thanks.
Interesting it certainly will be, I think. Like you've mentioned, I too am quite keen to see how the relationship between the various schools of though work out. Not all of them seem to even believe in democracy - Adhaalath has been particularly notorious on this front. Let's see eh?
ello mr.msa, interestin bite to read.i agree, the purpose of the coalition upto now has been to overthrow a president. it will be interesting to see how the coalition performs in actually leading a country with many problems, as there can only be one leader, others will certainly try to influence as much as they can in whatever ways they can. i sincerely hope mdp will be able to fulfill their promises soon. i dont think mdp can sustain their status qou if there are deadlocks due to differences in opinion within the coalition....
Good piece of writing! Dawn of a new era is what majority of us has been waiting for..But lets see how the coalition turns out to be.
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