Central Committee of the MMM this Saturday: Paul Bérenger should plead for a return to calm

The meeting of the central committee of the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), scheduled for this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the town hall of Beau-Bassin/Rose-Hill, takes place in a context of relaxation after the tensions at the start of the week at the top of the executive. According to the information available, this session should be placed under the sign of a return to calm, while exchanges have multiplied in recent days between Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and number two of the government, Paul Bérenger.

The leader of the MMM and Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Bérenger, should submit to his central committee recommendations aimed at normalizing the political situation. This orientation comes after a sequence marked by open differences between the two partners of the executive, which jeopardized the stability of the government alliance.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Friday is, in this context, described as “positive” by several participants. According to these same sources, the discussions took place in a peaceful climate, suggesting a common desire to continue government work without immediate rupture. At the same time, we are informed that the Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, and his deputy spoke by telephone on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These conversations would have focused on issues considered priority, reflecting an effort of coordination and dialogue at the highest level.

At the heart of recent tensions is the question of the Finance portfolio. This constituted one of the main points of tension between the two partners. Last week, Paul Bérenger suggested to the head of government that this ministry be entrusted to another personality. On the MMM side, the argument put forward was based on the current economic situation, considered sufficiently demanding to require a full-time minister, exclusively dedicated to this strategic department.

The stated objective of this proposal was to allow the Prime Minister to concentrate more on other issues deemed to be priorities, in particular maintaining law and order, the fight against drug trafficking and the conduct of foreign policy. This approach was intended, according to those close to the MMM, to be pragmatic and oriented towards a better distribution of responsibilities within the executive.

Navin Ramgoolam, however, clearly expressed his wish to keep the Ministry of Finance under his supervision.

This position was reaffirmed Monday during a tête-à-tête with Paul Bérenger. On this occasion, the Prime Minister confirmed his decision not to cede this portfolio. This confirmation contributed to maintaining a certain level of tension within the majority.

As a reminder, during the meeting of the MMM political bureau held on Monday, notable uncertainty hovered over the future of Paul Bérenger, and by extension that of the party, within the government. Unhappy with the