Pro-China PNC Secures Landslide Victory in Maldives Election - Reports

President Mohamed Muizzu's People's National Congress party swept to a landslide victory in Maldives' parliamentary elections, signaling a potential shift in the Indian Ocean nation’s foreign policy toward China, away from its longstanding focus on India, according to local media reports.

The PNC and its coalition allies secured 75 of the 93 legislative seats in Sunday's vote, with the PNC alone winning 71 seats, preliminary data from the Maldives Elections Commission and media projections indicated. This marks a significant decline for the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party, which now holds only 12 seats, down from 65.

Voters celebrated the overwhelming victory with public festivities that included cake cutting and party poppers in various constituencies. Official celebrations were scheduled for the evening with a rally in Male.

Muizzu, who was elected last year, has taken steps to pivot away from the Maldives' "India First" policy, which included requesting the departure of Indian military personnel stationed in the country. These actions have raised concerns about the Maldives tilting more towards Beijing’s influence.

Both Beijing and New Delhi have been actively seeking to enhance their presence in the Indo-Pacific region, vying for strategic partnerships. The U.S. State Department spokesperson noted the elections were free of significant irregularities and reflected the will of the Maldivian people. In 2023, the U.S. opened an embassy in Male to strengthen its engagement in the region, amid China's growing influence.

The spokesperson emphasized that the U.S. considers the Maldives a crucial partner, with ongoing cooperation in economic development, education, security, and climate crisis response.

Muizzu, the incoming president of the Maldives has stated that talks with India on troop removal have commenced - Bloomberg News report.

Additionally, President Muizzu has expressed interest in joining China's Belt and Road Initiative, which could include major projects like the expansion of the country's main airport and commercial port. Over the past decade, Chinese firms have invested approximately $1.37 billion in the Maldives, making China the largest bilateral creditor, according to the World Bank.

Azim Zahir, a politics lecturer at the University of Western Australia, commented, "Now Muizzu has more leverage and space to pursue a more balanced foreign policy. He would seek to forge a more diversified policy but I don't think he will necessarily severe India relations. Muizzu’s position as president remains unaffected by the parliamentary elections, where 368 candidates contested for five-year terms.