The Myth of the “Decisive” Year

Editorial

As 2025 draws to a close, the gathering at Domaine Anna in Flic-en-Flac this past Friday (December 26) carried more than the usual end-of-year conviviality. Alongside the seasonal atmosphere was a clear undercurrent of political signalling. When Paul Bérenger, leader of the MMM, described 2025 as a “year of transition” and positioned 2026 as “decisive” for both the country and his party, he was doing more than offering a retrospective assessment. His remarks served as a pointed reminder of the internal pressures and high expectations currently testing the governing alliance.

The Alliance du Changement (AdC) entered 2025 riding a tidal wave of democratic fervour, securing a staggering 60-0 mandate that promised a “New Era of Trust and Prosperity.” One year on, the transition from electoral victory to the day-to-day management of the state is proving to be a complex task. Bérenger’s reference to “major tests” — notably Air Mauritius, the drug scourge, the police force, the prison system, and the Economic Development Board — reads as a strategic intervention. By singling out these institutions, he draws attention to sectors that fall under the Prime Minister’s direct purview, placing indirect but unmistakable pressure on Navin Ramgoolam’s leadership.

Divisive Politics vs. National Unity

Bérenger’s framing suggests that the government’s success will be defined primarily by institutional overhauls and symbolic shifts. A more grounded reading of the Mauritian context, however, suggests that voters are unlikely to judge the ADC in 2029 on whether Mauritian Kreol was introduced in Parliament. Such a move, while historically significant to some, risks reopening sensitive debates in our multi-ethnic society. If Kreol were to be formally adopted, it would inevitably raise questions about the place of other ancestral languages and the potential fragmentation of parliamentary proceedings — and Mauritian society. In a country that prides itself on social harmony, such reforms must not be pursued for the sake of political posturing.

Furthermore, the public’s appetite for complex electoral reform — such as the elimination of the Best Loser System (BLS) or the introduction of a dose of Proportional Representation (PR) — remains remarkably low. The current system, while criticized by theorists, has provided Mauritius with decades of predictable, stable governance. To dismantle it now under the guise of “modernisation” risks creating more problems than it solves. These remain the obsessions of politicians in a quest for legacy or power; they are not the priorities of the citizen at the supermarket checkout in Vacoas or Port Louis.

The Real Mandate: Reconstruction over Rhetoric

The “New Era” articulated by Navin Ramgoolam is anchored in “systemic decoupling” — the process of freeing state institutions from the political interference of the previous decade. There is a widespread sense of relief following the dismantling of controversial surveillance measures and the restoration of democratic norms. Yet, this phase is only the beginning.

Ultimately, the government will be judged on its economic performance: its ability to restore growth, enforce fiscal discipline, and ease cost-of-living pressures. The administration has outlined an agenda centred on stabilizing the rupee and promoting inclusive growth. This includes a commitment to fiscal consolidation, with a stated goal of reducing public debt toward a more sustainable 75% of GDP. Economists argue that measures to remove VAT on essential goods have provided some immediate relief, but the long-term challenge remains the transition toward an investment-driven model.

The strategy to diversify beyond traditional pillars like sugar and textiles — focusing on fintech, artificial intelligence, and the blue economy — is ambitious. With a target of 60% renewable energy by 2030, the government is setting a high bar for infrastructure and institutional transparency. Success in these areas is what will ultimately secure the government’s credibility with international investors and the local population alike.

Political Brinkmanship and the Labour Legacy

The most significant risk facing the AdC may not come from a weakened opposition, but from internal manoeuvring. Alliances between the Labour Party (PTr) and the MMM have historically been subject to tactical brinkmanship. By calling 2026 a ‘test’ for the police and prisons, Bérenger is playing a political game. It allows the MMM to take credit for things that go well while avoiding blame for things that fail. However, persistent internal tension could undermine the very stability the alliance was elected to provide.

Navin Ramgoolam now governs at a moment of historical consequence. He carries forward a legacy shaped by Labour leaders who prioritized unity and social cohesion over radical disruption. The Prime Minister will need to assess reform proposals from his partners with caution. Initiatives that touch on deeply rooted sensitivities, such as the Best Loser System, require consensus, not just a parliamentary majority.

A Call for Focus

As we enter 2026, the Alliance du Changement faces a defining choice. It must decide whether to remain entangled in ideological debates over decisive ‘tests’ and symbolic language reforms, or to consolidate its historic mandate by delivering the tangible economic relief and stability the Mauritian people were promised. Will it rationalize the contracts of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to ensure they serve the public interest? Will it prioritize practical governance — improving the reliability of water supply and stabilizing the price of the consumer basket — or will it become absorbed in debates over language and electoral mechanics that hold limited relevance for the average citizen?

The “tests” identified by Paul Bérenger are real, but the grading will be done by the public. Voters will judge the government on tangible outcomes: public safety, meritocracy in employment, and the cost of living. Navin Ramgoolam must assert clear leadership and remind his partners that the historic mandate they received was one for stability and renewal. If 2026 is to be decisive, it must be decisive in delivering results, not in exposing divisions.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 31 December 2025