President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said the Maldivian people remain committed to the country’s existing system of government and do not support replacing it with a parliamentary system without the direct consent of the public.
Speaking during PSM’s “Nation Chat” podcast, the President argued that calls to introduce a parliamentary, or “Prime Ministerial”, system are being driven by opposition politicians seeking to create more leadership positions rather than reflecting the wishes of the public.
“They want to create roles like President, Prime Minister, and perhaps other titles as well. If it were possible, I believe they would even want to introduce a monarchy,” President Muizzu remarked.
The President said Maldivians had already chosen the current system through the democratic process and understood the risks associated with parliamentary models, where governments and prime ministers can change frequently without a direct public vote.
“A Prime Minister could be changed as frequently as once a year, often without the direct consultation of the people. Power would simply be handed from one individual to another. I do not believe this is the kind of system the public desires,” he said.
President Muizzu also stressed that the Maldives operates under a hybrid system that combines presidential and parliamentary features, rather than a purely presidential model. He said this framework reflects the will of the people and continues to enjoy broad public support.
Highlighting the country’s unique identity, the President said the Maldives’ small population, shared language, religion and ethnicity make a unitary state the most suitable form of governance. He added that while a small minority may support constitutional changes for political reasons, most Maldivians want to preserve national unity and stability.
The President’s remarks come as the opposition-led “The Big Change” (Bodu Badhalu) campaign, spearheaded by former President and MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed, continues to advocate separating the roles of Head of State and Head of Government through a parliamentary system. Nasheed has previously indicated his interest in serving as Head of State under such an arrangement.
