In Mauritius’ recent general election, the opposition Alliance du Changement (ADC) coalition, led by seasoned politician Navin Ramgoolam, claimed a sweeping victory with 62.6% of the vote, securing 60 of the 62 seats in the national assembly. This result positions Ramgoolam, a three-time former prime minister, for a historic fourth term.
Ramgoolam, 77, announced that his administration’s first priority would be dismantling the country’s surveillance system to promote greater freedom of expression. He also pledged to address Mauritius’ cost of living crisis by stabilising the rupee, removing Value Added Tax on essential goods, and tackling issues of nepotism, corruption, and repression.
Outgoing Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who had led the country since 2017, acknowledged defeat and stated he had done his best for the 1.3 million citizens of Mauritius. Despite achieving 7.0% economic growth last year, Jugnauth’s Alliance Lepep coalition garnered just 27.8% of the vote, a result attributed in part to rising living costs and corruption allegations. Last month, Jugnauth also faced criticism after temporarily blocking social media access, citing security concerns due to leaked conversations involving public figures. The block was lifted the day after the election.
Meanwhile, the island of Rodrigues, which holds two seats in Mauritius’ parliament, saw the Organisation du Peuple de Rodrigues (OPR) capture 50.0% of the vote.
Ramgoolam’s decisive win marks a major shift in Mauritius’ political landscape and signals a new era focused on transparency, economic reform, and government accountability.
Melissa Enoch
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