Silverio Omari
Mauritius’ opposition appeared poised for a victory in the legislative elections after Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth conceded defeat on Monday. While official results are still pending, opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam is expected to assume the role of prime minister for the third time, leading his Alliance of Change coalition.
Jugnauth acknowledged his Lepep alliance, which is headed by his Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), was on track for a significant loss in Sunday’s election. “The people have chosen a different team to lead the country,” said Jugnauth, who has served as prime minister since 2017. “We must respect this decision and wish the country and its people the best of luck.”
Just a month ago, Jugnauth celebrated a historic agreement with Britain to regain sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, resolving a long-standing dispute. However, the election campaign was overshadowed by a wire-tapping scandal, in which secret recordings of politicians, diplomats, and journalists were leaked online.
Throughout the heated campaign, both sides promised to address the economic challenges facing ordinary Mauritians, who are struggling with the cost of living despite strong economic growth. Turnout in the election was reported to be around 80%, according to preliminary estimates from the election commission.
- ‘Waiting for liberation’ –
Many voters expressed concerns about the political and economic future of one of Africa’s wealthiest and most stable democracies. Both Jugnauth and Ramgoolam belong to powerful political dynasties that have shaped Mauritius’ politics since its independence from Britain in 1968. Ramgoolam, 77, is the son of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the nation’s first prime minister, and has served two terms in office, from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014.
On Sunday, Ramgoolam expressed confidence in his coalition’s victory, saying, “We are heading towards a big victory. The people are waiting for this liberation.” Although he had previously warned of potential fraud, he later reported that the voting process was mostly smooth.
Sixty-two seats were contested under a first-past-the-post system, with an additional eight seats allocated through the “best loser” system.
Mauritius, a predominantly Hindu nation, has seen significant political stability and economic growth since gaining independence. Its economy is driven by tourism, financial services, and textile manufacturing, with a GDP per capita exceeding $10,000 in 2022, according to the World Bank. However, concerns about governance and corruption have been growing.
The island is famous for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters, drawing 1.3 million visitors last year. The Chagos deal was a significant achievement for the government, although Britain will retain a lease on a joint US military base on Diego Garcia for an initial 99 years. Jugnauth hailed this agreement as a milestone in the nation’s “decolonization.”
Dj Vnyash
