The Maldives elected opposition leader Mohamed Muizzu as its president with 54 percent of the votes, according to preliminary results. Muizzu representing the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), defeated the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Muizzu is set to be sworn in on November 17.
Mohamed Muizzu Biography, Age Education of Maldives President
Muizzu, a 45-year-old British-educated civil engineer, currently serves as the mayor of Male, the capital of the Maldives. His candidacy for the presidency was unexpected as he had previously served as the construction minister in the government of Abdulla Yameen, his mentor. Read more latest business news on our website.
Yameen’s imprisonment on corruption charges led to Muizzu taking on a leadership role in the party and running in the election. During his tenure as minister, Muizzu oversaw several Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in the Maldives including a $200 million bridge connecting the capital to the main airport.
Muizzu is viewed as sympathetic to China’s interests in the Maldives which has raised concerns about the country’s relationship with India, its giant neighbor and traditional partner in security and economics.
President Solih, seen as pro-India, accepted the election results, congratulating Muizzu and commending the peaceful and democratic process. Solih’s tenure aimed to shift the Maldives’ diplomatic stance back toward New Delhi but Muizzu’s victory appears to challenge these efforts.
Muizzu’s election campaign focused on reducing India’s political and economic influence in the Maldives. The Maldives strategically located in the Indian Ocean has been a point of contention in the competition for influence between India and China.
While Muizzu has expressed a preference for closer ties with China, it may be challenging for him to completely sever the deep financial, trade and infrastructure connections with India. The Maldives also faces considerable debt owed to China, some of which will become due in the coming years.
This election result underscores the ongoing rivalry for influence in the Indian Ocean region between India and China, with India being a member of the strategic Quad alliance alongside the United States, Australia and Japan.