Journalist, writer, and former editor-in-chief of L’Express, Yvan Martial offers a critical and frank analysis of the political situation in Mauritius just a few months before the general elections.
He discusses potential amendments in light of the constitutional conference organized by Rezistans ek Alternativ on Saturday, March 30th.
Navin Ramgoolam recently announced that his party, the Labour Party, will have thirty-five tickets, the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) seventeen, and the Mauritian Social Democrat Party (PMSD) eight for the upcoming elections.
However, the MMM and PMSD are not in agreement. Could this be the beginning of the end for their alliance?
The etiquette dictates that Ramgoolam should have informed his major partners, Bérenger and Xavier-Luc Duval, first about the ticket distribution, which has long been known.
It is unclear if he did so, leading to potentially oversized egos clashing. Some politicians are so foolish that they engage in self-destructive behavior.
If there are political and electoral suicides to happen, it is better to do so before the elections, leaving long-time disillusioned activists of the May 1968 movement and pre-war Fabianism even more disheartened and potentially falling into the clutches of the Emperor Sun.
The main opposition to the MSM of Jugnauth must provide a solid, indestructible force against an electoral machine funded by billions.
On the government side, there are tensions, particularly within the Muvman Liberater (ML) party, which for now, does not want to be part of Linite Militan, a fusion between Steven Obeegadoo’s party and Alan Ganoo’s.
The Deputy Speaker and ML member, Zahid Nazurally, criticized in an official speech that only two families can hold the position of Prime Minister, questioning if the country should continue in this manner.
The government is betting on the recent pension increases for retirees, effective April 1, to boost its popularity before the elections.
They hope that voters will fall for the crude tactic of believing that Pravind Jugnauth is personally funding these generous pension increases.
It is crucial for free journalists to counteract this misleading propaganda aiming to infantilize the population and attribute pension increases solely to the government.
Many believe that recent announcements and inaugurated projects indicate imminent elections, with some speculating they could occur in August.
The opposition should focus on building a strong electoral base rather than obsessing over the exact election date.
Political alliances need to be preparing to challenge the MSM and prevent their return to power.
Rezistans ek Alternativ’s constitutional conference on March 30th aims to generate a consensus on constitutional amendments.
While their initiative lacks popular mandate, it steps in where the government fails to give attention.
Mauritius needs urgent constitutional reforms to redistribute power to the people and restore the principles of the 1947 constitution made by and for Mauritians.
The priority for a constitutional reform should be to strip politicians of the powers they have unduly taken from the nation’s core institutions.
The focus should be on returning administrative powers to the judiciary, public service, regional councils, and regional democracy.
The ultimate goal of Mauritius’ constitutional reform should be to restore power to the people and rejuvenate the nation’s public service.
Source: Defi Media
