Navin Ramgoolam, a veteran politician and former Prime Minister of Mauritius, has returned to power after a resounding victory in the recent elections. His Alliance of Change coalition swept all 60 parliamentary seats in the island nation, marking a significant political shift after a decade of the ruling coalition’s dominance.
Ramgoolam, 77, was sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday, bringing an end to the 10-year reign of Pravind Jugnauth’s Lepep Alliance. The landslide victory, with Ramgoolam’s coalition securing 62.6% of the vote compared to Jugnauth’s 27.8%, reflects a clear mandate from the Mauritian people.
The election was overshadowed by a controversial wire-tapping scandal, with leaked recordings of politicians, diplomats, and journalists raising serious concerns about privacy and governance. While the government initially banned social media, public outcry forced its reversal.
Mauritius, known for its economic and political stability, has consistently been a model for other African nations. Despite its strong economic standing, with a per capita GDP of around $10,000 (according to 2022 World Bank figures), analysts have expressed concerns about worsening governance, corruption, and the need for economic diversification.
Ramgoolam, a medical doctor and lawyer by profession, has a strong political legacy. He served as Prime Minister twice before, from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014. His return to power marks a return to a familiar political landscape in Mauritius, as both he and Jugnauth belong to prominent political dynasties that have shaped the country’s leadership since independence from Britain in 1968.
As Ramgoolam begins his third term as Prime Minister, the focus will be on addressing the challenges of governance, corruption, and economic diversification while maintaining the nation’s stability and its reputation as a model for democracy in the region.
