Mauritius Municipal Elections: June 2021 (due)


The skyline of Port-Louis, capital of Mauritius. Photo credit: Flickr/Ashok Prabhakaran (CC BY-SA 2.0)

KEY FACTS
Freedom House Rating

Free
Government Type
Parliamentary Republic
Population
1.4 million
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Municipal Elections
June 2021 (due)
Parliamentary Elections

November 2024 (due)
Village Council Elections
December 2026 (due)
PAST ELECTIONS
Village Council Elections
November 22, 2020
Parliamentary Elections

November 7, 2019
Municipal Elections
June 14, 2015

Mauritius is due to hold municipal elections in June 2021.

Political Context

Mauritius is a free democracy that has seen multiple peaceful transitions of power following competitive elections, but politics are dominated by a handful of powerful families. However, recent protests have raised the political temperature.

In the 2014 elections, the social democratic Labour Party of Navin Ramgoolam lost, bringing Sir Anerood Jugnauth and his Alliance Lepep (also social democratic) back into the position of Prime Minister, which he had held on and off since 1982.

In 2017, Jugnauth passed the office on to his son, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, a somewhat controversial move. Ramgoolam himself is the son of former prime minister and independence leader Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. Alliance Lepep party won the 2019 parliamentary elections, strengthening its majority and keeping Jugnauth in office.

The 2021 Municipal Elections in Mauritius

Geopolitical Context

Mauritius, whose national motto is “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean,” sits in a geopolitically important location. As such, it is the site of competition between India and China.

In early 2021, the Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement went into effect, the first free trade agreement between China and an African country.

Curated News and Analysis

Kamlesh Bhuckory, Bloomberg (February 13, 2021): Thousands Rally in Mauritius, Calling on Government to Step Down

Nishan Degnarain, Forbes (January 11, 2021): Mauritius In Crisis As Militarized Police Deployed Against Peaceful Protestors

TRT World (January 4, 2021): China-Mauritius FTA goes into effect. But who benefits?

Al Jazeera (November 10, 2019): Mauritius PM’s coalition strengthens Parliament grip after vote

Peter Fabricius, Daily Maverick (November 6, 2019): Mauritius polls marred by hacking allegations

Jess Auerbach, African Arguments (October 19, 2019): Mauritius’ micro-politics: Everybody needs good neighbours

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.

Updated February 16, 2021

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