Former prime minister Navin Ramgoolam has secured a landslide victory in Mauritius’s parliamentary election, winning a fourth term with his Alliance of Change (ADC) coalition. The election commission announced that Ramgoolam and his coalition won 62.6 percent of the vote, claiming 60 out of 62 seats in the National Assembly. This victory marks Ramgoolam’s third term as prime minister, having previously served from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014. The win signifies a significant shift in leadership, as incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth admitted defeat and recognized the people’s choice for a new leadership team.
The recent election in Mauritius was overshadowed by a wire-tapping scandal, where leaked phone calls revealed conversations of politicians, diplomats, civil society members, and journalists. In response to his victory, Ramgoolam has pledged to dismantle the country’s “spying system” to allow Mauritians to freely express themselves. Despite facing economic challenges and a high cost of living, both Ramgoolam’s ADC coalition and Jugnauth’s Lepep alliance promised initiatives to improve the country’s welfare, including support for struggling families, free public transport, increased pensions, reduced fuel prices, and efforts to address corruption and promote a green economy.
The political landscape in Mauritius has historically been dominated by the Ramgoolam and Jugnauth dynasties, both of which have been prominent in the country’s leadership since independence from Britain in 1968. With a strong economy supported by finance, tourism, and agriculture sectors, Mauritius has established itself as one of Africa’s most stable democracies. The election saw a voter turnout of at least one million people, with reforms proposed in the Alliance of Change manifesto to address constitutional and electoral processes, such as changing the selection process for the president and parliament speaker.
Ramgoolam’s victory has been celebrated by his supporters, with the former prime minister expressing gratitude for the people’s trust in his leadership. The election results signal a new chapter for Mauritius as Ramgoolam aims to create a more transparent and open society for its citizens. As the country grapples with economic challenges and social issues, the newly elected government will be tasked with implementing policies to improve living standards and address the needs of its population. With the ADC coalition’s strong majority in parliament, there is an opportunity for decisive action to fulfill the promises made during the campaign and bring about positive change for Mauritius.
