Politics

The government has opened the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to media outlets from the state budget on December 26, 2025. This project is an important undertaking carried out with budget allocation to advance the field of journalism in the Maldives and to financially assist small and medium-sized media outlets active in the field of news dissemination. With the official opening of the opportunity to submit applications for this state assistance to media outlets, it is believed that this will further strengthen journalistic freedom and the operations of media outlets. The conditions and procedures for applying for this assistance have now been made public by the relevant authorities.

Minister of Interior Security and Technology Ali Ihsan warned on December 26, 2025, that strict legal action would be taken against major drug traffickers. The Minister said that there would be no leniency for those running drug networks in the Maldives and that special efforts have been launched to capture such individuals. In addition, the Minister assured on this day that the government would prioritize all legal efforts to save the Maldivian society from the drug epidemic.

Under "Operation Kurangi," which is being conducted to find foreigners residing illegally in the Maldives, the government took special measures on December 26, 2025, and gave a strong warning that those residing illegally will be deported. While the work of collecting biometric information of a large number of foreigners is proceeding rapidly under this operation, the relevant authorities have revealed that action will be taken against those who violate the Immigration Act without any exception. This activity is an important effort to achieve the government's goal of resolving the issue of foreigners residing in the Maldives within three years.

Former judges Faisaal Rauf and Mohamed Shujau have applied for the positions of judges of the High Court of the Maldives, in the opportunity opened for applications. With this news released on December 26, 2025, it was revealed that these two individuals applied for the vacant judge positions of the High Court due to their interest in serving in the judicial field again. With the Judicial Service Commission's announcement to seek individuals for these positions, it is believed that the application of experienced former judges will be an advancement for the work of the court. Following these applications, their interviews and the commission's procedures will proceed in the future.

B. Thulhaadhoo Council and R. Meedhoo Council signed a special agreement on Friday, December 26, 2025, to strengthen cultural ties. The main purpose of this agreement is to revive the long-standing friendship between the two islands and facilitate the coordination of cultural and social activities in the two atolls. This trip was part of an important visit by the Thulhaadhoo Council to gain experience in the development and administration of Meedhoo, and to further strengthen the relationship between the people of the two islands. In addition, under this agreement, it has been decided to provide cultural resources for the two islands in the future and to work together in various fields.

At a press conference held in Male' on Friday, December 26, 2025, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom heavily criticized the PNC government's economic policies. During this meeting, Yameen alleged that the current government is mismanaging state finances, putting the Maldivian economy at a dangerous level. He also stated that government extravagance is increasing, and the current leadership has failed in debt management, expressing his concern that the living standards of the people are declining on this date.

The Elections Commission has today announced for the second time, seeking parties required for catering and logistics work related to the upcoming election. The announcement made on 26 December 2025, states that the opportunity to submit quotations is open to parties interested in transporting election-related materials and providing food services. This second opportunity has been opened because an adequate response was not received in connection with the first announcement, with the aim of perfecting the administrative arrangements for the election. Therefore, the Elections Commission has publicly announced to submit proposals within the specified period.

Important decisions regarding the PNC council election primary were decided on 26 December 2025, including accelerating the work of determining the candidates who will contest for the mayorship of Addu City. With these administrative decisions, the competition for the Addu mayorship has increased, and preparations are now underway for the primary to be held to determine those who will compete on the party's ticket. This election is an important political movement that will bring significant changes to the administration of Addu City among the local councils.

The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) has today released a list of eligible applicants after reviewing the educational qualifications of those who applied for the positions of High Court judges. This list was released as part of the steps being taken by the Judicial Service Commission to appoint people to the vacant positions of High Court judges. The MQA's decision is an important step in ensuring the educational standards of the applicants, and this will facilitate the appointment of the most capable individuals to the vacant positions in the court.

In consultations held on December 26, 2025, regarding the internal operations of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the work of the local councils, it was decided to strengthen the party's reform measures and the administration of the councils. At this meeting, there was extensive discussion on the challenges faced by councils in their efforts to develop the islands through the decentralized system, and it was agreed to further strengthen the activities of the party's internal branches. Furthermore, work has begun on this day to formulate a special roadmap related to the assistance and guidance that the party needs to provide in order to strengthen the governance of the councils in the future.