What's happened
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's party, the People's National Congress, won a landslide majority in the parliamentary elections, securing 66 out of 86 declared seats, more than enough for a supermajority.
Why it matters
President Muizzu's party's victory in the parliamentary elections is significant as it marks a shift towards closer economic cooperation with China and away from traditional ally India. The outcome is likely to impact regional dynamics and influence in the Indian Ocean.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the pro-China stance of President Muizzu's party and the shift away from India, while Al Jazeera focuses on the rivalry between India and China in the Maldives. The Guardian emphasizes the strategic implications of the election outcome for the Indian Ocean region.
How we got here
President Muizzu's election last year marked a shift towards closer ties with China and away from India. His party's victory in the parliamentary elections solidifies this stance and is expected to have implications for regional power dynamics.
Common question
More on these topics
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The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small island nation in South Asia, situated in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 700 kilometres from the Asian continent's mainland. The chain of 26
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Mohamed Muizzu is a Maldivian politician who is currently serving as president of the Maldives since 17 November 2023. He was selected for his party's nomination after former president Abdulla Yameen was jailed for serious corruption charges.
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.