Maldives presidential election: Muizzu, a pro-China candidate, triumphs

 Maldives presidential election: Muizzu, a pro-China candidate, triumphs

In the Maldives, a candidate who supported China defeated the incumbent president, who had improved ties with India.

In the run-off election, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent Mohamed Muizzu, who received 54% of the vote.

The "India out" campaign slogan was used by Mr. Muizzu, the mayor of Male, the nation's capital.

Prior to the 17 November inauguration of his replacement, Mr. Solih will act as interim president.

China and India are candidates in the election.

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The 61-year-old leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who has been in office since 2018, improved ties with India, with which Male has close economic and cultural links. He described it as a "India-first" strategy.

India has historically exerted influence over the Maldives. Delhi is able to keep an eye on a significant area of the Indian Ocean thanks to its continued presence there.

Mr. Muizzu, a 45-year-old member of the Progressive Alliance coalition, is in favor of improved ties with China.

Due to its rapidly growing naval forces, China seeks access to such a crucial location, while India seeks to block China's entry. Beijing is also eager to safeguard the area's energy sources from the Gulf.

Delhi gave the Maldives two helicopters and a light aircraft in the previous ten years. The Maldivian defense force reported in 2021 that approximately 75 Indian military personnel were stationed there to fly and service Indian aircraft.

The opposition then launched a "India out" campaign, calling for Indian security personnel to leave the Maldives, shortly after.

Abdulla Yameen, a member of the Progressive Party (PPM), served as president from 2013 to 2018 before Mr. Solih. The Maldives embraced President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative and became nearer to China under his administration.

Yameen cannot run in this year's election since he is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for corruption.

To celebrate their triumph, hundreds of Mr. Muizzu's supporters gathered in front of the PPM headquarters.

Mohamed Muizzu, who is he?

The 1978-born Mr. Muizzu has a PhD in civil engineering from the UK's University of Leeds. In 2012, he began his political career as the housing minister.

The minister maintained his position after Yameen took office and gave the go-ahead for some sizable projects, including a $200 million (£164 million) bridge that links Male with the nearby international airport.

He won Male's mayoral elections in 2021, making history for the PPM.