My Views on the Vice President’s Interview

The relationship between the President and the Prime Minister is what the people of the Maldives talk about with great interest and concern these days. It has been the main subject of holhuashis, radio and television shows. It has yet again stimulated the political resolution of the country.

The Prime Minister DR. Waheed has spoken in the public saying that he has different views from President Nasheed , that he is not in favor of the actions of the President and that he is not been consulted in decision makings. It’s the first act of its kind the country or perhaps even the world has seen.

If it isn’t irresponsibility and selfishness I’m afraid I don’t know what it is. Some might call it freedom of expression. They might argue that it’s his right and he should not be discredited for it. I beg to differ.

In a Presidential Republic – such as that of in the Maldives – the Prime Minister is elected for two main reasons. One is to lead the country in the absence of the president and the other is to help the president in his presidential responsibilities of running the country. Since this is how it is stated in the constitution, the Prime Minister has no place whatsoever to say he has to be consulted or that he should be given this or that responsibility. As the president is the head of state and government and head of national security there’s no way he could share these responsibilities with anyone else and that includes the prime minister.

Those who argue in the favor of the Prime Minister say that the Prime Minister is elected by the people same as the President. However in accordance with the constitution, it is the President that’s been elected by a national referendum, not the Prime Minister. If my knowledge isn’t wrong the constitution merely states that the President Nominate should publicly announce his running mate before the election. That’s it. The people just elect the President.

Since the responsibilities of the President and the Prime Minister is clearly and separately stated in the constitution I just don’t see how the Prime Minister has the right to demand and criticize. There’s simply no way the Prime Minister could complain because he has less work or more work. It’s totally up to the President. I believe if the Prime Minister’s intentions were sincere and altruistic, his spirit and thinking should be headed towards the same direction as the President. Now there’s reason to believe the prime minister is promoting his own agenda and party. In my opinion, in criticizing the President of whom you are Prime Minister, you are just criticizing yourself.