Budget, Swearing-In Ceremony Preparations in Full Swing: President-elect’s Office

With the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu scheduled for 17 November at the Republic Square, preparations are in overdrive, the President-elect’s Office has said. The transition team has underscored its commitment to meticulous yet swift actions during this pivotal period.

In a recent press conference, spokesperson for the transitional committee Mohamed Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel revealed that a seven-member committee had been formed specifically to draft the 2024 state budget. They have already reached out to the Ministry of Finance to gather essential data on the country’s current fiscal health and forecasts for the upcoming year, he said.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has reassured the incoming team of full cooperation in this regard. Parliamentary Group (PG) Leader Mohamed Aslam from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) further endorsed this cooperative stance. Aslam assured that while the MDP would hold the new administration accountable, it would not act as a stumbling block during the budget formulation process.

Spokesperson Khaleel also voiced apprehensions about reports that some state agencies and companies are actively recruiting, promoting, and even creating new positions during the transitional period. Though transitional committees have yet to visit these state agencies, plans are underway to send information requests.

The spokesperson for the transitional committee, described the transition process as aiming for “speedy but careful” work. Fifteen teams in total are actively engaged in the transition; seven are focused on state-owned enterprises while the remaining eight teams are gathering information from various government ministries and departments.

“While we aim to carry out this work expeditiously, we are aware that haste and care are often at odds. Our objective is to strike a delicate balance between the two,” Firuzul noted.

As the swearing-in ceremony approaches, the President-elect’s office is also making preparations to extend invitations to leaders from neighbouring and friendly nations.