11 November 2008
Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, the winner of the run-off Presidential election held on 28th October 2008, was sworn in as the 4th President of the Republic today at a special sitting of the People’s Majlis (the Parliament). His running mate Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku was sworn in as the Vice President of the country at the same ceremony.
President Nasheed is the leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which led the coalition against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the leader of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP). Mr Gayoom was elected President in 1978 and had, since then, won 6 successive terms as President.
The change of leadership marks the beginning of a new and democratic era in the country’s history since the declaration of the 2nd Republic in 1968.
President Nasheed is the winner of the first ever multi-party election in the Maldives and is widely seen as one of the key figures in the switch to democracy. His cabinet is expected to be sworn in soon.
