Mauritius PM hands over power to son, Oppn fumes

Port Louis, January 23

Mauritian Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth handed over power to his son Pravind today 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.

“The job of prime minister involves great responsibility. It is a great burden. I have carried it, but now it is time to make way for the youth,” he said after resigning.

His son Pravind, 55, was then handed a letter nominating him to the post ahead of a swearing-in ceremony.

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 PM 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 Paul Berenger. — AFP