Mauritius holds elections, cost of living on everyone’s mind

Mauritius holds elections, cost of living on everyone's mind

2024-11-10 03:39:13 :

PORT LOUIS (Reuters) – Mauritius holds parliamentary elections on Sunday, with current Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his main rival both promising to tackle the Indian Ocean archipelago’s cost-of-living crisis.

The country of about 1.3 million people positions itself as a link between Africa and Asia, with much of its revenue coming from a booming offshore financial industry, tourism and textile industries.

It forecast economic growth of 6.5% this year, compared with 7.0% last year, but many voters are not feeling the benefits.

Jugnauth’s Alliance Lepep coalition has pledged to raise the minimum wage, increase pensions and reduce value-added tax on some basic goods.

The company said it would use money paid by Britain under an October agreement to cede the Chagos Islands while retaining the U.S. Indigo Garcia air base.

Mauritius also receives assistance from China.

“The alliance led by the prime minister is selling the economic prosperity card and promising more funds to different groups,” said political analyst Subhash Gobin.

The opposition also promised to increase pensions, introduce free transport and internet services and lower fuel prices.

The alliance is dominated by two other parties, Alliance du Changement, led by Navin Ramgoolam, and Linion Reform, whose leader Nando Boda Bodha and Roshi Bhadain plan to take turns as prime minister if they win.

“Young people are going to play a big role in these elections,” said 36-year-old voter David Stafford in the capital, Port Louis. He explained that people were looking for economic innovation and employment opportunities, as well as fiscal Same as reform.

More than one million people are expected to elect MPs to the 62 seats in the island’s parliament over the next five years, drawn from a list of 68 parties and five political alliances.

Last week, the Jugnauth government blocked social media platforms until the day after the election results, citing national security concerns after conversations between public figures were leaked. A day later, the company lifted the ban after opposition parties criticized the move.

Voting opens at 0300 GMT on Sunday and ends at 1400 GMT. Whichever party or coalition wins a majority of seats in parliament will also win the premiership.

(Reporting by Villen Anganan; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Philippa Fletcher)

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