Outcry as new PM succeeds dad

THE son of the outgoing Mauritius prime minister was appointed as the new premier yesterday, prompting accusations of nepotism and calls for a referendum from opponents.

Anerood Jugnauth, 86, who has been in his post since 2014, the latest of several terms at the helm, announced on Saturday he would step down in favour of his son and the finance minister, Pravind Jugnauth, 55, citing the need for “a young leadership”.

President Ameenah Firdaus GuribFakim, who holds a largely ceremonial role on the Indian Ocean Island, said Pravind Jugnauth had been issued with a letter of appointment as the new prime minister yesterday.

The formal swearing-in was due later in the day.

“Everywhere on the island it can be seen that the population is against the ‘father and son deal’ which has not gone through an election,” a former prime minister and member of the opposition Mauritian Militant Movement, Paul Berenger, said at the weekend.

“We challenge Pravind Jugnauth to organise a referendum on this deal. Otherwise, we need to call a general election.”

After opposition parties met yesterday, Berenger said opponents would demonstrate against the appointment.

Opposition coalition leader XavierLuc Duval said Anerood Jugnauth’s failure to resign as a member of parliament showed he would act as a babysitter for his son.