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  • Politics

Mauritius - Politics

Key Facts

  • Last Elections: July 2005
  • Next Elections: 2010
  • Head of State: President The Rt Hon Sir Anerood Jugnauth (2003-)
  • Head of Government: Dr The Hon Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister
  • Ruling Party: Social Alliance
  • Independence: 12 March 1968

The alliance of Mouvement Socialiste Mauricien (MSM) and Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), returned to power in 1991, held firm until 1993 when MMM leader Paul Bérenger was dismissed from the cabinet and took part of the MMM with him to form an alliance with the Labour Party. Meanwhile, the constitution was amended to make Mauritius a republic on 12 March 1992.

The Labour Party–MMM alliance won a sweeping victory at elections held in December 1995, leaving the country with only a token parliamentary opposition. Labour Party leader Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam became prime minister and Bérenger deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs.

Like its predecessors, Ramgoolam’s government experienced internal divisions. The government also introduced privatisation policies, despite strong opposition from the MMM and unions. Bérenger resigned from the coalition to rejoin the opposition in June 1997.

The elections in September 2000 were won by an alliance of the two main opposition parties, the MSM and the MMM, taking 54 seats while the Labour Party won only six, and alliance leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth formed a new government, with Bérenger as his deputy until September 2003 when, by agreement, Bérenger became prime minister and caretaker president Karl Offmann made way for Jugnauth to become president.

In the July 2005 general election, the opposition Social Alliance (with 38 seats) defeated the governing alliance (22 seats) and Labour Party leader Ramgoolam became prime minister. Turnout was over 80%.

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