Prime Minister of Mauritius

The prime minister of Mauritius (French: Premier Ministre de Maurice) is the head of government of Mauritius. He presides over the Cabinet of Ministers, which advises the president of the country and is collectively responsible to the National Assembly for any advice given and for all action done by or under the authority of any minister in the execution of his office.

Prime Minister of Mauritius
Premier Ministre de Maurice (French)
Coat of arms of Mauritius
Flag of Mauritius
Incumbent
Pravind Jugnauth
since 23 January 2017
StyleThe Right Honourable
ResidenceClarisse House (Official)
NominatorThe President who must appoint the MP supporting a clear majority in the National Assembly
Term lengthAt The President's Pleasure serving as long as the office holder has a majority in the National Assembly
Inaugural holderSir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
Formation12 March 1968 (1968-03-12)
Deputy
Salary500,000 Mauritian rupee[1]
WebsitePrime Minister Office
Politics of Mauritius
Constitution
Presidency
Government
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

The position is the most powerful constitutional office of the country. This is mainly because the office is amalgamated with other functions whereby conventions, the office holder is also the Minister of Defense & Home Affairs (which makes the office holder responsible for law & order, internal security, defense, the armed forces and intelligence services), the Leader of the National Assembly (which makes the office holder responsible for setting the agenda for parliament) and Minister for Rodrigues & Dependencies (which makes the office holder responsible for + occupancy, administration of local dependencies & their defense). It is also inter-alia, the head of government and presides over the cabinet of Ministers. It is second in the order of precedence just after the president and enjoys relative importance in the public as the office holder is usually the leader of the party/alliance that wins an election.

The current prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, leader of the MSM, was appointed by the president on 23 January 2017 following the resignation of his father and coalition leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth who held the post following victory of his Alliance in the 2014 General Election. The official residence of the prime minister during his term in office is the Clarisse House, the Prime Minister's Office is located in Port Louis. The longest serving prime minister is Anerood Jugnauth who held the office for 19 years as prime minister.

Overview

The current Prime Minister's portfolio includes, inter-alia, the following:[2]

  • Law and Order
  • Civil Status, Citizenship
  • External Communications
  • Electoral Commissions and Electoral Affairs
  • Government Information Services
  • Meteorological Services
  • Mauritius Oceanography Institute
  • Human Rights
  • Strategic Policy

The prime minister is appointed by the president. The prime minister holds the second most senior position in the country, second only to the president. The prime minister is usually the leader of the largest party in the ruling coalition. The position of Prime Minister along with the office of Deputy Prime Minister is specified under CHAPTER VI Section 59 Part 1 of the Constitution of Mauritius.

After the country became a Republic on 12 March 1992, the President became the Head of State. The President holds prerogative powers which includes summoning, prorogation and dissolution of parliament including appointment of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Prime Minister has the constitutional duty to advise him/her when to exercise these prerogatives.

History
See also: List of prime ministers of Mauritius

Pre-Independence

During the British Mauritius period, it was the Chief Minister who was the head of government, executive powers was vested by the Governor, representative of the Monarch. The only Chief Minister which the country had known was Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, from 26 September 1961 to 12 March 1968.[3]

Independence

The office of the Prime Minister of Mauritius was created on 12 March 1968 when Mauritius became an independent state. Queen Elizabeth II remained as head of state as Queen of Mauritius, with her executive powers in Mauritius delegated to the governor-general.

After the 1967 General Election, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) became the first Prime Minister of Mauritius, he was re-elected in the 1976 General Election and remained in office. In the 1982 General Election, Sir Anerood Jugnauth (SAJ) coalition was elected, he became Prime Minister. However his alliance broke up in 1983 and the 1983 General Election was held, SAJ formed another alliance, he was elected again and remain in office. In the 1987 General Election, another coalition concluded by SAJ won again, he remained in office. SAJ also won the 1991 General Election and remained the Prime Minister of Mauritius. The new leader of the Labour Party Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, became the Leader of the Opposition.

Republic

After the country became a Republic on 12 March 1992, the President became the Head of State. The President holds prerogative powers which includes summoning, prorogation and dissolution of parliament including appointment of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Prime Minister has the constitutional duty to advise him/her when to exercise these prerogatives.

On 12 March 1992, Mauritius became a Republic State, with a new constitution in 1992, the terms of the General Elections was regulated to 5 years. Since then, each 5 years elections take place and a new Prime Minister is elected. After the 1995 General Election, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam became Prime Minister of Mauritius for the first time. However, he lost the 2000 General Election. In 2000, the Prime Minister's office was shared between two leaders, Sir Anerood Jugnauth spent 3 years as Prime Minister and Paul Bérenger spent 2 years. After the 2005 General Election, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam became the Prime Minister of Mauritius again. In 2010 General Election, he was re-elected and remained in office.[4] The 2014 General Election returned Sir Anerood Jugnauth to the Prime Minister's office.

Oaths

According to the third Schedule of the Constitution of Mauritius, an oath under this section shall be administered by the Prime Minister.[5]

I, ......................, being appointed Prime Minister/Minister/Junior Minister, do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will to the best of my judgment, at all times when so required, freely give my counsel and advice to the President (or any other person for the time being lawfully performing the functions of that office) for the good management of the public affairs of Mauritius, and I do further swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will not on any account, at any time whatsoever, disclose the counsel, advice, opinion or vote of any particular Minister or Junior Minister and that I will not, except with the authority of the Cabinet and to such extent as may be required for the good management of the affairs of Mauritius, directly or indirectly reveal the business or proceedings of the Prime Minister/Minister/Junior Minister or any matter coming to my knowledge in my capacity as such and that in all things I will be a true and faithful Prime Minister/Minister/Junior Minister. (So help me God.)

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prime ministers of Mauritius.
  1. Walter, Karen (16 July 2017). "Salaires des dirigeants: le PM mieux payé que Putin et Modi". L'Express. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. "The Prime Minister". Government of Mauritius. Archived from the original on 27 February 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  3. "Mauritius". Worldsstatesmen.org. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  4. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p618 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  5. "Constitution of Mauritius" (PDF). Government of Mauritius. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
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