Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives pro-Chinese candidate, triumphed in the country's presidential election last Saturday, defeating the incumbent President Mohamed Solih.
According to the Electoral Commission’s results, 45-year-old Muizzu secured 54.06% of the vote.
Muizzu’s victory may lead to greater closeness with Beijing in a strategically significant region. Positioned along one of the globe’s busiest maritime routes, the luxury-tourism hotspot of the Maldives is in an area where China and India vie for influence.
Muizzu, whose party came under the influence of Beijing during the tenure of his mentor Abdulla Yameen (2013-2018), has consistently endorsed the financial bounties granted by China under their “new silk roads” initiative, a colossal investment project in developing countries.
The first round of the election saw Muizzu take a commanding lead (46.1% versus 39.1%) over Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who focused during his term on mending strained relationships with New Delhi.
On acknowledging defeat, Solih commended the population for partaking in a “democratic and peaceful” process.
An impressive turnout of 85% was recorded in the second round.
