Opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam and his Alliance of Change coalition claimed a resounding victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with final results confirming their dominance. Ramgoolam’s coalition won 60 out of the 62 National Assembly seats, leaving outgoing Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s People’s Alliance with no representation in the new parliament.
In a speech to jubilant supporters, Ramgoolam, a former two-time prime minister, declared, “The power of the people is stronger than a dictatorship,” adding, “I hope PKJ resigns soon. He was beaten 60-0.” The crowd erupted in cheers as the 77-year-old leader made his victory speech, marking a dramatic shift in the island nation’s political landscape.
The election saw 62 National Assembly seats contested in Mauritius, with the remaining eight allocated under the “best loser” system. Jugnauth, the leader of the ruling Lepep coalition, conceded defeat on Monday, even before the final official results were announced. The political shift signifies the end of an era for the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), which has governed the country under Jugnauth’s leadership.
Mauritius’s unicameral parliament comprises 70 seats, with voters directly electing 62 members, and eight appointed through the “best loser” system to ensure proportional representation. While the final results are still being processed, the overwhelming win for the opposition highlights a shift toward greater democratic control.
Ramgoolam, the son of the late Sivosagur Ramgoolam, who served as Mauritius’s first prime minister, has a long political history in the country. Having led the Mauritius Labour Party since 1991, Ramgoolam was prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014. His return to power marks a pivotal moment for the island nation, which is considered one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
The election was conducted under a winner-takes-all system, which often results in a single coalition dominating the National Assembly, as seen in this sweeping victory. The Alliance of Change’s triumph signals a new chapter in Mauritius’s political future, with Ramgoolam poised to lead the country once again.
