Former President Mohamed Nasheed on Saturday called for an alliance between the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, a proposal welcomed by MDP Chairperson and opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Nasheed said the best option for the country at the moment is for the MDP and the Democrats to work together. He urged the two parties to unite in an effort to address the current political challenges.

Nasheed left the MDP — a party he co-founded — on 21 June 2023, following a rift with then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The Democrats was later registered as a political party by Nasheed loyalists after internal disagreements intensified during Solih’s presidency.

Responding to Nasheed’s remarks, Fayyaz said the MDP has always supported working with those committed to upholding democracy in the Maldives.

“We have to put the government on the right track,” Fayyaz said. “Some of our members have dissatisfaction with President Nasheed given the past. Then it is up to President Nasheed to gain their satisfaction. Anyone is welcome to join the MDP.”

Some members within the MDP blame Nasheed for the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential election, arguing that had he not left and formed a separate party, the MDP could have retained power.

On the other hand, Nasheed loyalists accuse Solih of betraying Nasheed by sidelining him and seeking a second term despite allegedly promising to step aside. No formal agreement between the two former presidents on a future presidential bid has been publicly confirmed.