Muizzu's Party Wins Big, Signaling Shift Towards China
The People's National Congress (PNC), led by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, secured a landslide victory in the recent parliamentary elections, securing over two-thirds of the seats in the 93-member parliament. This decisive win comes amidst a period of strained relations between the Maldives and India, with Muizzu advocating for closer ties with China.
The PNC's victory is seen as a crucial step in Muizzu's plan to deepen economic cooperation with China, including ambitious land reclamation projects and the construction of thousands of apartments. This shift in foreign policy marks a significant departure from the previous administration's pro-India stance.
The election results also reflect the growing geopolitical importance of the Maldives, strategically located in the Indian Ocean along vital east-west shipping lanes. Muizzu's administration has already awarded major infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned companies and is in the process of sending home Indian troops stationed in the country.
The outgoing parliament, dominated by the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party, had attempted to obstruct Muizzu's efforts to realign the country's foreign policy. However, the PNC's overwhelming victory paves the way for Muizzu to implement his agenda, potentially leading to a significant shift in the Maldives' geopolitical landscape.