Mauritius New PM:  Ramgoolam Returns After a Decade

Election Results and Victory

• Navin Ramgoolam (77) sworn in as Mauritius Prime Minister on November 13, 2024
• Alliance du Changement (ADC) coalition won landslide victory
• Secured 60 out of 62 National Assembly seats
• Gained 62.6% of total votes in November 10 election
• Defeated incumbent PM Pravind Jugnauth's Lepep alliance
• Parliamentary system: 70 members total (62 elected, 8 nominated)

Ramgoolam's Political Journey and Promises

• Fourth term as Prime Minister
• Previous terms: 1995-2000 and 2005-2014
• Leader of the Labour Party within ADC coalition

Key campaign promises:

• • Reduce cost of food, fuel, and medicines
  • Raise old-age pensions
  • Reorganize ports, airports, and national airline
  • Remove value-added tax on necessities
  • Stabilize Mauritian rupee
• Pledged to "lift the country from hell"

Mauritius: Country Context and Challenges Economic Aspects

• $10 billion economy
• Major sectors: tourism, textiles, sugar exports
• Offshore financial center
• Ranked easiest place for business in Africa
• GDP growth at 7.0% last year

Current Challenges:

• Cost of living crisis
• Public anger over declining living standards
• Corruption allegations against previous government
• Currency declined 1% against dollar after election

Country Profile:

• Population: 1.3 million
• Capital: Port Louis
• Currency: Mauritian Rupee
• Parliamentary democracy system
• President is head of state, PM heads government
• Two-thirds population of Indian origin
• Known for pristine beaches and luxury tourism
• Expected 1.4 million visitors this year