Mauritius gets new PM, opposition demands new election

PORT LOUIS: Mauritian Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth handed over power to his son Pravind on Monday despite anger from the opposition which has called for new elections in the island nation. Jugnauth, 86, officially handed his resignation to President Ameenah Gurib Fakim – whose role is ceremonial -after long hinting he would step down before his term expires in 2019. Mauritius is a model of political stability in Africa, however the handover has created turbulence on the Indian Ocean island, best known as a dream beach holiday destination. The younger Jugnauth is both finance minister and leader of the ruling Militant Socialist Movement (MSM). Constitutionally, it is he who takes over if the prime minister resigns. However the opposition has rejected his “inheritance” of the position, and will be boycotting his inauguration. “The best would have been for the prime minister to dissolve the national assembly before his resignation and call an early election,” said opposition leader and former prime minister Paul Berenger.