Decision Looms as Bérenger Challenges Ramgoolam Over Finance Portfolio

The future of Paul Bérenger’s role as Deputy Prime Minister hangs in the balance this 12 January, as a crucial meeting of the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) leadership prepares to address a deepening cabinet standoff.

Members of the MMM political bureau will gather late this afternoon at Rue Ambrose, Rose Hill, to hear from Mr Bérenger.

It is expected that the leader will clarify his position and potentially announce whether he will continue to sit on the Council of Ministers following his recent demands for a cabinet reshuffle.

The Finance Ministry Dispute

At the heart of the friction is Mr Bérenger’s proposal to take over the Ministry of Finance to “relieve” the Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam. The Prime Minister currently holds the finance portfolio himself.

Last week, Mr Bérenger presented the move as being “for the good of the country,” arguing a position he has maintained for several months: that the Finance Ministry should be detached from the Prime Minister’s Office.

A Decisive Monday

Despite the urgency of the situation, no formal meeting is scheduled for the start of this week between the Prime Minister and his deputy to discuss the proposal.

Mr Bérenger is now awaiting a formal response from Mr Ramgoolam regarding the handover of the portfolio.

The stakes for the coalition remain high following internal MMM discussions:

• Friday: The party’s political bureau first reviewed the proposal.
• Saturday: The central committee met to discuss the potential fallout.
• The Threat: During these sessions, Mr Bérenger hinted that he may stop sitting in the Council of Ministers entirely, depending on the Prime Minister’s reply.

As the late-afternoon meeting in Rose Hill approaches, the political future of the Deputy Prime Minister remains contingent on whether Mr Ramgoolam is willing to relinquish control of the nation’s purse strings.

Source: Defi Media