Incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth has conceded defeat following Monday’s general election, reflecting concerns about the political and economic future of Mauritius, a nation regarded as one of Africa’s most stable and prosperous democracies.
“It’s evident that we are heading towards defeat, and it’s clear that the Lepep alliance I led has experienced a significant setback,” Jugnauth stated to reporters, referencing a campaign overshadowed by allegations of widespread phone tapping. “The people have made a different choice, and I wish them the best,” he added, according to AFP.
Jugnauth’s Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM) and its allies, who previously held 42 of the 70 seats in the National Assembly, had aimed to maintain their majority. However, initial results suggest a victory for the Alliance for Change, led by 77-year-old Ramgoolam, who is affiliated with the Labor Party.
The campaign, marked by tensions, saw both factions propose measures to alleviate the daily burdens faced by Mauritians amid rising living costs, despite ongoing economic growth. Both leaders come from prominent families that have influenced Mauritian politics since the country gained independence in 1968.
Additionally, voters had the option to support a coalition under the slogan “Neither Navin, nor Pravind,” which campaigned against corruption and nepotism within the archipelago.
APA/sf/lb/abj/AFP