Maldives

Archipelagic Jurisdiction. Monitoring the PNC Super-Majority, fiscal sovereignty measures, and the 2025 Media Regulation Act.

Current Legal Status

Executive Consolidation

Basis: Const. 2008 (Amended) Alert: 7th Amendment

Legislative Power

Super-Majority

PNC Control (Majlis)

Media Freedom

Restricted

New "Commission" Act

Fiscal Autonomy

Critical

Forex Retention Laws

Local Governance

Centralized

Atoll Councils Abolished

The Super-Majority Era

Since securing a legislative super-majority, the Muizzu administration has rapidly amended the 2008 Constitution to consolidate state power. The 6th Amendment (Nov 2024) and 7th Amendment (Dec 2025) represent a distinct shift away from the decentralized model of the previous decade.

Anti-Defection (6th Amd)

Ratified rapidly in late 2024, this provision dictates that MPs automatically lose their seats if they resign from, switch, or are expelled by their political party.

"Effect: Eliminates floor-crossing; cements Executive control over the Legislature."

Recentralization (7th Amd)

Ratified December 1, 2025. This amendment effectively abolishes Atoll Councils, reversing the 2010 decentralization framework and returning administrative control of atolls to central ministries in Malé.

The Fine Print

WATCHDOG ALERT

Media & Broadcasting Regulation Law (2025)

Passed Sept 16, 2025: This controversial act merges the Media Council and Broadcasting Commission. Watchdog Concern: The new 7-member commission allows the government to appoint 3 members directly, and creates a mechanism to fine or suspend outlets for violating "social norms," widely viewed as a tool for self-censorship.

Fiscal Sovereignty: The Forex Mandate

In response to high sovereign debt distress (IMF Article IV, Feb 2025), the government enacted the Foreign Currency Act. It mandates resorts to deposit specific ratios of USD revenue into local banks, testing the legal limits of private property rights to avert a sovereign default.