PNC Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla Launches Bid to Return to Parliament
Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Chairperson of the People's National Congress (PNC) and Special Advisor to the President, has announced his candidacy for the Fonadhoo constituency in Laamu Atoll for next year's parliamentary elections. Raheem previously held the seat for two sessions but lost in 2019 to Moosa Siraj, then of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who has since joined PNC and become its parliamentary group leader. Raheem, a former aide to ex-President Abdulla Yameen, played a key role in forming the PNC and campaigning for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. His candidacy is part of the PNC-PPM coalition strategy, amid concerns about his alleged misuse of authority for family appointments, including his son as Minister of Tourism. Primaries are scheduled for the 23rd of this month.