Mauritius election: Amid wiretapping scandal, what’s at stake?
Al JazeeraNov 08
Mauritius: Opposition Leader Appointed Prime Minister After Election Win
Above: Former and new Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam waits for election results in Triolet, Mauritius, on Nov. 11, 2024. Image copyright: Li Yahui/Contributor/Xinhua via Getty Images
The Facts
Navin Ramgoolam, the leader of the opposition Alliance du Changement coalition, was appointed prime minister of Mauritius on Tuesday.
The son of the country's first post-independence leader will be in office for his fourth five-year term as he previously served as prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and between 2005 and 2014. A date for his swearing-in ceremony has yet to be set.
The Spin
Narrative A
During his tenure as prime minister, Jugnauth was able to maintain strong economic management and provide a secure environment for investors while securing a historic victory in reclaiming the Chagos Islands from the UK. Now that the country has chosen another team, the prime minister respects this decision.
Narrative B
Though the economy had rebounded year-on-year, Jugnauth had betrayed public trust through government-sanctioned illegal surveillance of citizens, opposition members, and journalists — demonstrating authoritarian behavior. Now that he's no longer in power, he must face the consequences of suppressing information and dissent.