In a late-night press conference on Tuesday, Gayoom said: “From the bottom of my heart I believe he is the most appropriate man for the job.”
Thasmeen, 41, was widely tipped for the position, especially following the resignation of former Finance Minister Gasim Ibrahim, who had also been regarded as a contender, in July.
Atolls And Businesses
A vice-president of the government’s Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP), Thasmeen’s previous portfolio was that of Home Minister.
He was transferred to the powerful Ministry of Atolls in a cabinet reshuffle in June 2007. The ministry deals with island and atoll chiefs, currently appointed by the President, as well as planning and infrastructure outside Malé.
Thasmeen is known as the owner of Reethi Beach Resort and Fonaddhoo Tuna Products. But under the country’s new constitution, which Gayoom has said he will ratify on Thursday, the vice president – along with the president and ministers – is forbidden from “active involvement” in business.
On Tuesday, Thasmeen told journalists he had “stopped active involvement” in the firms, following legal advice from Attorney General Azima Shukoor.
Nominations
The DRP had no fixed procedure for nominating a running mate, since its constitution was written prior to the choice of a presidential system in last year’s constitutional referendum.
Members of the DRP’s 24-strong governing council were invited to make anonymous nominations, with 22 proposing Thasmeen, according to Gayoom.
“As per democratic procedures I consulted with the council to find their opinion,” Gayoom said. “[But] I was the one who made the final decision.”
The DRP’s second congress, finally held in July, had been repeatedly postponed amid speculation the choice of a running mate would force Gayoom to choose between rival factions. In the event, no running mate was chosen at the congress.
Gasim and Gayoom’s brother Abdullah Yameen had been regarded as vying for power in government.
But shortly before Gasim’s resignation, Yameen moved further away from government with the foundation of his own political party, the People’s Alliance, despite reports he would return to the cabinet.
Quiet
“Thasmeen is a good orator, but because of his character, he is quiet,” Gayoom added. But he cautioned: “Communication is very important in the campaign, and he will have to change that.”
He added that Thasmeen “has contributed extensive financial aid to the party”.
Thasmeen said: “That I will be able to implement DRP policies with the President increases my happiness a thousandfold.”
As Home Minister from 2005 to 2007, Thasmeen faced a no confidence vote in 2006 over alleged police brutality, but it was voted down in parliament.
His transfer to the Atolls portfolio followed a hunger strike in the country’s largest jail, Maafushi, which exposed poor conditions and a total lack of drug rehabilitation in the prison.
In September last year, as Minister of Atolls, Thasmeen introduced a regulation to allow the election of Island Development Committees to advise island chiefs on local development.
It was the first time popular representation was allowed at island level in the Maldives. But opposition parties said the groups had little power, and criticised the procedures of elections overseen by the Atolls Ministry.
Election
Tuesday's announcement comes days before the new constitution is due to be ratified by President Gayoom, who has said he will officially begin campaigning on August 8.
The new constitution rules that the country's first multiparty presidential elections must be held before 10 October. President Gayoom has also told delegates at the 15th South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC)summit that elections will be in the next two months.
It will be the first time President Gayoom - who is seeking a seventh term in office - will face opponents at the polls.
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