In a significant setback to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has secured a landslide victory in the mayoral election of the capital, Male. The MDP candidate, Adam Azim, won by a large margin, garnering 5,303 votes compared to the 3,301 votes received by the rival from President Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC). The victory is seen as a revival of political fortunes for MDP, led by former President Mohammad Solih. Muizzu, who has aligned the Maldives closer to China, congratulated Azim and pledged cooperation with the Male City Council and the new mayor.