The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) staged a major protest march in the capital, Malé, on Friday, calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Muizzu, accusing him of power consolidation, corruption, mismanagement, and failing to deliver on his campaign pledges.
Hundreds of MDP supporters gathered in Malé, waving banners and chanting slogans against the administration. Protesters voiced anger over delays in handing over land plots and housing units allocated under the previous Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration, as well as the suspension of key developmental projects. The worsening economic situation and lack of transparency in government actions were also among the grievances raised at the protest.
The demonstration marked the first street protest against the Muizzu administration and followed the MDP’s 10 December “People in Defence of the Constitution” rally, where the party’s national council endorsed nationwide protests and invited other political parties, civil society organisations, and the public to join the campaign.
The MDP launched its constitutional defence campaign after Parliament, where the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority, passed a set of contentious constitutional amendments in December. The changes, which were rushed through, strip defecting MPs of their parliamentary seats and grant the president expanded powers—moves widely criticised for their lack of transparency, exclusion of public involvement, and violation of the procedural safeguards outlined in Article 4 of the Constitution. The party accused Parliament of acting at Muizzu’s behest and described the amendments as unconstitutional.
The MDP, known for its history of large-scale demonstrations, reiterated that it would maintain pressure on the government through continued protests and political action in the coming days.
Authorities have not reported any major incidents during the demonstration, though police maintained a visible presence to monitor the protest.