Current government created approximately 1,500 political posts: Solih

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that a significant number of political positions have been created within just four months of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration, estimating the count to have reached 1,500.

Speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) campaign event for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled on April 21, he remarked that the government had spent MVR 300 million more in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in the previous year, with nothing to show for it.

"What has been done? If you look at it, 1,700 projects have been stalled. Where did the money go? We have also sent a letter to the President's Office seeking information to find out how the money was spent and even requested details from the Ministry of Finance. The information has not been provided from any of these places," the former President said.

Solih said what was evident was that the current government was appointing people to political posts and was spending a lot of money from the state budget on it.

"Some ministries have no seating arrangements. They are queuing in the corridors. Workstations are shared on a roster basis. There are no seats," he alleged.

"It's an estimate, but we'll know for sure when they provide the information. Over 1,500 political posts have been created so far. Otherwise, MVR 150 million from the budget wouldn't be spent on recurrent expenditure for salaries every month."

Solih said that the current government is wasting resources, and the halting and restarting of projects will only lead to further expenses. He urged that MDP should be given a parliamentary majority to steer the government back on the right track.

After facing criticism for the increase in political appointments, President Muizzu, in his presidential address to the parliament on February 5, said that appointments to political positions have been halted unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Since then, however, a number of individuals have been appointed to political positions, including those who competed unsuccessfully in the PPM/PNC primary elections. The President's Office has not disclosed details regarding these recent appointments. Previously, inormation regarding State Ministers and Deputy Ministers was updated on the website, but this process has been interrupted due to technical issues, according to the President's Office.

President Muizzu has pledged not to increase the number of political staff, including those appointed in the President's Office, over 700. He has reiterated his commitment to maintaining this limit moving forward.