President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih has stated that 5 years is too long for a presidential term. The president made this statement while speaking at a public forum held last night.
A member of the public suggested to extend the length of the term of local councils to 5 years and the president said that 5 years is too long even for a president.
“For me, 5 years is too long to remain as president. Even the term of the parliament is too long” said the President.
Some speculate that the President intends to resign midterm. The first manifesto proposed by MDP prior to the presidential elections in 2018 states that the MDP’s candidate will resign after two years and hold a midterm election after amending the constitution to change the form of government to a parliamentary system. However, after Jumhoory Party’s leader Qasim Ibrahim refused to accept that condition MDP declared that manifesto void and released a new manifesto just two days before the elections.
It has become likely that President Solih will resign before his term is over, paving way for his longtime friend former President Mohammed Nasheed.