Jocelyn Chan Low, Political Scientist: "The Two Leaders Have Different Political Cultures"

Jocelyn Chan Low, a political scientist, shares his insights on the dynamics between the two leaders of the Alliance of Change, stating, "The two leaders have different political cultures." He believes that while everyone wants to avoid a break, a patch-up may eventually fail.

In discussing the current crisis, he points out that there should never be two captains on a ship that is rocking; typically, the Prime Minister holds all the power. The Alliance of Change includes 35 representatives from the PTr and 19 from the MMM, with a historical precedent of the Prime Minister dictating terms since 1983. The MMM, being a 'junior partner', has a leader without a ministerial portfolio.

Chan Low elaborates on the contrasting leadership styles of Paul Bérenger and Navin Ramgoolam, noting Bérenger's meticulous nature and high expectations for Cabinet meetings, whereas Ramgoolam, being new to state affairs in the past, often took a slower, more cautious approach.

He asserts that these two leaders are incompatible, as their differing approaches will never align. The alliance formed in 2024 was challenging, as Bérenger was initially resistant to including Ramgoolam. While their partnership appeared harmonious during the November 2024 agreement, underlying tensions remain due to their starkly different political cultures.

Chan Low discusses the MMM's role as a junior partner, suggesting they can assert themselves but will face consequences due to the imbalance of power favoring Ramgoolam. He emphasizes that the MMM risks losing political ground if they choose to leave the government, especially given the pressure from civil society and unions for political stability.

He concludes with reflections on the future of the MMM, the potential for electoral reforms, and the implications of political dynasties, particularly regarding Joanna Bérenger's potential leadership. He questions whether party militants would accept another political dynasty while reiterating the importance of their collective decision-making moving forward.