The Progressive Party of Maldives, also known as the PPM, is the third largest political party in Maldives with a total membership of 49 as of 30 June 2018. The stated goal of the party is driving Maldives towards an independent and democratic, safe and secure, high income, high human capital, developed nation state with a diversified and robust economy whilst preserving its Islamic heritage.
History
2011–2012
The party was formed by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2011 after resigning from his first party, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, citing corruption of views after new leadership. The political party first emerged from a faction of DRP, named Z-DRP, which was formed by Gayyoom in early 2011. This occurred after in-party disputes between Gayyoom, who was serving as the party's retired "Supreme Leader", and the current leader, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali. On 4 September 2011, Gayyoom handed in his resignation from the DRP announcing that the Z-DRP faction of the party, would become a new "corruption-intolerant" party independent from the DRP. The very next day, he unveiled the plans for the "Progressive Party of Maldives". On 8 October 2011, the proposed party was granted license from the Elections Commission to go ahead; giving the party a time frame of 9 months to register itself with the government. On August 2012, PPM accused the Maldivian Democratic Party of pressuring the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and called the 2012 Maldives report of this UN organ "serious and concerning", condemning the UN calls to allow same-sex rights and religious freedom in the Maldives.
2013–2015
On 17 November 2013, PPM became the ruling party of Maldives after its candidate Abdulla Yameen won the 2013 Maldivian Presidential Election, defeating MDP Candidate Mohamed Nasheed in the runoff. It is believed by many that PPM won the election because of the last minute coalition they made with Qasim Ibrahim's Jumhooree Party just days before the final polls. On 2014, PPM took majority of the People's Majlis after winning 33 seats in the Parliament election of 2014, while coalition partners JP won 15 seats and Maldives Democratic Alliance taking 15 seats. As of 2015, both JP and religiously conservative Adhaalath Party have left the Government coalition.
