Mauritius PM Wins Election

Incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s centre-right coalition Morisian Alliance won a majority of seats in parliament to secure a five-year term in office.

His coalition took 42 seats, defeating two-time Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s National Alliance, and the centre-left Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) coalition, led by Paul Berenger, another ex-Premier.

“I have received a clear mandate”, Jugnauth declared upon victory, adding that he will govern for all Mauritians, and not just those that voted for him.

Voters elected MPs to 62 of the 70 seats in parliament, whilst the remaining 8 were chosen by the electoral commission via a “best loser” system, who attained a high number of votes but failed to win.

Jugnauth’s victory validates a man that has been accused of nepotism, having been chosen to succeed his father, the former Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth, without being elected in 2017.

He urged voters to judge him on his short time in office, pointing to reforms that saw the economy grow by 4 per cent last year including the introduction of a minimum wage, and a huge drive in infrastructure, building a new light-rail network.

Though problems still remain.

Youth unemployment is up around 22 per cent, and income inequality is only getting worse, not helped in part by the country’s growing reputation as a tax haven.