President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared Thursday, February 5th, as a government holiday.
The Parliament has scheduled the first sitting of the first session of this year for 9:00am on February 5th.
The presidential address is always delivered at the first sitting of the year. It outlines the current state of the nation and the government's policies and plans to enhance its condition.
As such, President Muizzu declared February 5th as a holiday, as the date on which the presidential address is delivered is traditionally observed as a government holiday.
Speaking during a ceremony held last Thursday to inaugurate ruling PNC’s office, the President revealed that important announcements will be made during this year’s presidential address. He provided no further details.
The first sitting of the first session of the Parliament in 2025 was held on February 7th. Opposition MDP lawmakers protested once the sitting kicked off, resulting in a 12-minute recess in order to allow lawmakers who were named for protesting to remove themselves from the floor.
 
The lawmakers who were removed from the floor protested outside the Parliament building as the presidential address was underway.