Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Fayyaz Ismail has voiced concern over growing public frustration with political parties in the Maldives, calling on democratic forces to seriously reflect on the current state of political affairs.

In a recent appearance on the podcast Reboot, Fayyaz said that people are increasingly disillusioned with politics and political parties. He pointed out that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu came to power by spreading what he described as false promises and misleading narratives, which nonetheless resonated with the public during the last presidential election.

Fayyaz stated that while political parties are now more focused on legal frameworks and institutional processes, a larger issue has emerged — a growing portion of the population no longer believes in democracy. According to him, this group includes not only the general public but also politicians who manipulate public opinion for personal or political gain, deepening public distrust and polarizing society.

He expressed concern over the public’s loss of interest and belief in political systems, describing it as a serious issue. He warned that only a strong and credible political system can protect the rights of the people, and said that those who oppose democratic values are contaminating public sentiment, steering people away from democratic principles.

Fayyaz noted the danger in this trend, stating that such disillusionment could lead the country down a path toward authoritarianism. He urged political parties to take this situation seriously, rebuild public trust, and take decisive steps to demonstrate integrity, accountability, and commitment to democratic values.