Far away from the political melting pot, I tend to believe that one gets a rather fair dose of lucidity to observe and analyze the current political game at play on the island. At the outset, it does stand out as a huge paradox for the Labor Party, whilst claiming to be riding the wave of fame, to envisage an alliance with the MMM (which has been its fiercest opponent over the past many years). Obviously, like for any political party, the strategy aims primarily at coining a winning formula to remain in command for as many terms as possible. The legitimate question for many people remains: Why does the Prime Minister therefore want to change his so-called winning team?

There seems only one scenario that I can foresee from far to justify the strategic thinking behind the Prime Minister''s slow and calculated move. We still have to bear in mind that none of his party members seems aware of his plan. They all affirm that they will simply follow the leader. They have no choice anyway. In my humble view from a distance, the scenario envisaged by the Prime Minister may be as follows: Secure a much needed and comfortable 3/4 majority by using the MMM vote bank (the PMSD will certainly not bring anything significant except, as always, loudly pretending to be what they are not).

Once the majority secured, the Constitution would be amended for the Republic of Mauritius to have a President with Full Executive Powers (Sarkozy or Obama type). The President of the Republic as Head of the State, would effect all key appointments, including Ministers. He would chair the Council of Ministers, issue Presidential orders and give a sense of direction to the country. There would still be a Prime Minister with well defined but limited powers. I see the Elysee/Matignon model in France being adopted here.

But as first intake, Dr Navin Ramgoolam might consider becoming  President of the Republic appointed by the National Assembly, unless he magnanimously and rightly decides to resign from his post of PM and stand as candidate in a Presidential Election. Paul Berenger would accede to the office of Prime Minister but marching on the strict orders of the President. It could also be that the term of office for the President would be 7 years whilst the legislative term will stay at 5.

President Ramgoolam would therefore be in power until 2017. Paul Berenger would have his last chance to serve again as Prime Minister until 2015. This is how I see the political game unfolding over Mauritius soon. Many people, I am sure, will tend to question such a political move and its relevance to the Mauritian context. My dear Mauritius, let’s be honest. Rather than having a President with powers to do so little but at such high cost as is the case now, and still a Vice President for absolutely no specific purpose, in fact for no good reason, I prefer by far the wishful scenario described above. It would certainly be a bold step but yet it makes good sense. We shall finally get to live in a Republic which will have its full meaning.

Our present system of Government is not very different to the past one except for the post of Governor General re-styled as President and a few changes around. The envisioned scenario will have lots of merit that should bring about real change and breathe fresh air in our system of public administration altogether. I keep fingers crossed.

But the shoe will still pinch though. How will the new regime eventually keep Prime Minister Paul Berenger within his limited executive brief with orders emanating from the President. This, in my view, could possibly be the main subject of the prolonged negotiations currently underway behind closed doors. If my reading of the situation proves correct that such is indeed the strategy for the next alliance, I reckon it’s well worth the effort and the suspense. However, I also dream that this major change should be able to pull along its noble path, and by all means, some much needed consequential changes in other areas, mainly in nominations of Chairpersons, Ambassadors etc, in order to pilot our public institutions with sanity and STRICTLY according to merit.

This has to be done only by means of grilling interviews of high profile candidates by a panel of experts, with proof of their excellent track record (moral and professional), their outstanding business credentials, sound experience in the relevant fields, their mindset and attitudes at work, towards institutions and above all, towards people (staff and stakeholders). Somewhat, if not more, of a US model of selection. This will indeed be a rare opportunity for Mauritius to clear the current mess created by the horde of ego-centric political nominees and help us do away with nominations and juicy contract allocated on the basis of ti-copains/copines (the notorious gang of hopeless agents, friends and relatives, self-proclaimed and big-mouth generals, useless representatives of communities and castes etc).

By the way, these individuals have demonstrated one thing in common, over the past years, ie. how hard they can work to cause harm to the same Government that has placed them in power and  to the nation at large.

If a New Mauritius is born out of a future alliance as may be contemplated by Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his team of master-minds and confidential advisors, then we have reason to hope. Hope for a more prosperous Mauritius where all its citizens are indistinctly protected, esp. the poor. Hope for a better Mauritius, where communal lobbying and corporate vested interest would be royally ignored. Hope for a safer and more secure Mauritius, worthy of the tears shed by our ancestors to uphold their values in life. Hope for a Mauritius thriving with a positive mindset and marching forward with dignity and national pride.

May God Bless Thee, my Beloved Mauritius !

Sen Ramsamy

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