Mauritius’ opposition is on track for a historic win in Sunday’s legislative elections, with Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth conceding defeat on Monday.
Though final results are still pending, opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam is expected to return as prime minister at the helm of the Alliance of Change coalition.
Jugnauth admitted his Lepep alliance, led by his Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), was facing a “big defeat.”
“The people have chosen another team to lead the country,” Jugnauth said, wishing the new leadership success.
The election campaign was marred by a wire-tapping scandal involving leaked phone recordings of politicians and journalists.
Despite this, both sides promised to address cost-of-living challenges faced by Mauritians amid strong economic growth.
Turnout was high at around 80 percent.
Ramgoolam, 77, the son of the island’s first prime minister, expressed optimism before the vote, declaring, “The people are waiting for this liberation.”
Mauritius, a stable democracy with a thriving economy, has faced growing concerns over governance.
Jugnauth’s recent deal with Britain over the Chagos Islands had been seen as a major success, but it wasn’t enough to secure his position.