Former President Mohamed Nasheed is set to return to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) along with members of The Democrats, after the party’s national assembly passed a resolution on Tuesday to rejoin the MDP.

The resolution, proposed by Women Democrats leader Fathimath Hamdha Mohamed at the request of Nasheed, passed with majority support and little opposition. It reflects a growing view within The Democrats that building a strong opposition is key to winning upcoming local council elections, restoring public confidence in the political system, and holding the government accountable.

Neither The Democrats nor the MDP has issued a formal comment on the move, and the future of The Democrats as a registered party remains unclear.

The development follows a series of meetings involving Nasheed, including a private gathering at his family home on Sunday evening and a lunch with MDP Chairperson and opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail on Monday. The meetings have fuelled speculation about Nasheed’s political comeback and a potential bid for the MDP’s presidential ticket in 2028.

Fayyaz, who has declared his intention to run in the MDP primary, posted on X, after the meeting, urging pro-reform forces to unite.

Nasheed resigned from the MDP in June 2023 following a public split with then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, after losing to him in the party’s presidential primary. He went on to form The Democrats with a group of loyalists, several of whom have since returned to the MDP. Despite holding an international role as secretary-general of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Nasheed has remained engaged in political discussions at home.

In April, he proposed a merger between the MDP and The Democrats — an idea welcomed by Fayyaz, though no formal steps were taken at the time.

The MDP is expected to see a competitive primary in the lead-up to the 2028 presidential election, with other likely contenders including former President Solih, MDP President Abdulla Shahid, Malé Mayor Adam Azim, and MP Ahmed Shamheed.