Maldives Election Gives Pro-China President's Party Supermajority in Parliament

The parliamentary elections in the Maldives have resulted in a resounding victory for President Mohamed Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) party, securing a two-thirds supermajority in the 93-seat Majlis (parliament). The PNC won 66 seats outright, and an additional 6 independent candidates joined the party after the elections, giving it a total of 78 seats.

This outcome represents a substantial endorsement of Muizzu's policy orientation towards China, signaling a departure from the Maldives' longstanding relationship with India. Muizzu had campaigned on promises to free jailed former president Abdulla Yameen and end India's influence in the country. The PNC's electoral triumph is expected to empower Muizzu to drive his pro-China agenda through parliament with relative ease.

Why this matters: The election results raise concerns in New Delhi about the Maldives' gravitational shift towards Beijing. The move strengthens China's influence in the strategically important Indian Ocean region, creating a complex geopolitical challenge for India as the Maldives, once a close maritime ally, now aligns more closely with China.

China has expressed its intention to enhance relations with the Maldives, aiming to further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations. This includes plans for closer economic cooperation, such as large-scale land reclamation projects and the implementation of a China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement.

The election results have been viewed as a rebuke of the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which had previously controlled the Majlis and obstructed many of Muizzu's initiatives. The MDP suffered a humiliating defeat, winning only around a dozen seats.

Muizzu has already taken steps to reduce India's influence, such as not renewing a hydrographic survey deal and pressing for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. He has also been working to send home a garrison of 89 Indian troops who operate reconnaissance aircraft gifted by New Delhi.

The PNC's dominance in parliament could allow Muizzu to rewrite the constitution and potentially weaken provisions for fair elections and term limits. There are also concerns about the government's lack of transparency and its crackdown on critical media.

The newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in on May 28, and the PNC's supermajority will give it control over both lawmaking and the legislature, which ratifies laws. This consolidation of power has led to worries about a potential return to tyranny and the weakening of democratic checks and balances in the Maldives.

Key Takeaways

• Maldives elections: Landslide win for pro-China PNC party, securing 2/3 majority.
• Outcome signals shift towards China, reducing India's influence in the region.
• PNC plans closer economic ties with China, including land reclamation and FTA.
• Concerns over potential constitutional changes, weakening of democratic checks.
• PNC's supermajority gives it control over lawmaking and legislature.