2 Weeks In: Concerns Rise Over Speaker’s Impartiality

Arianne Navarre-Marie, the MMM parliamentarian asserted that “never before has such a motion been presented just two weeks after the appointment of a Speaker.” This statement underscored the significance of the opposition leader’s action, she emphasized.

Navarre-Marie further highlighted the crucial role of the Speaker in Parliament, which she described as “ensuring impartiality during the Assembly’s proceedings and maintaining a neutral and exemplary stance outside of it.”

The MMM MP explained that the Speaker must act as an impartial referee to ensure that all members of Parliament can participate effectively in the legislative process while adhering to established rules.

“The Speaker must also facilitate the smooth operation of Parliament by organizing seating arrangements that allow each parliamentarian to sit with their party group,” she noted.

Additionally, she pointed out, “Since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, this arrangement has been denied to us, even by the new Speaker.

It is essential for party members to sit together in a bloc, as it enables them to consult quickly on specific issues or situations.”

Source: Le Mauricien