Faizal Jeerooburkhan: "It is Necessary to Introduce a Right to Recall Bill"
Faizal Jeerooburkhan from Think Mauritius expresses his disappointment that many elected representatives struggle to listen to their constituents, emphasizing the unfulfilled promises of the Alliance of Change and the incompetence of certain individuals. He advocates for the adoption of the Right to Recall Bill.
After some intense upheavals, is calm truly restored between the Labour Party (PTr) and the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), or is it merely a facade? It's difficult to assert with certainty that this calm will last. However, one thing is clear: the majority of those involved wish to avoid a rupture that could be fatal for the alliance, particularly for the MMM, where some members, including ministers, might refuse to follow their leader in what they deem a suicidal decision.
The political situation, especially between the PTr and MMM, often shifts with the leaders' moods, who evidently struggle to meet and engage in dialogue to reach solid and lasting compromises. Although periods of calm may give the illusion of regained stability, underlying tensions persist and can erupt with the slightest spark.
Who do you think has yielded between the two leaders, Navin Ramgoolam or Paul Bérenger? Determining which of the two has truly given in requires a more nuanced political analysis, considering the specific context of the negotiations and the internal stakes of each party. Disagreements between the two leaders may relate to the balance of power within the alliance or the divergent interests of their respective parties.
In such situations, yielding does not necessarily mean losing face; it can instead reflect an ability to make intelligent concessions to achieve a compromise in the country's interest.
The MMM insists on electoral reform alongside a degree of proportional representation... It is undeniable that the MMM, since its inception, has often fallen victim to the First-Past-The-Post system, which has repeatedly sidelined it from power. After 57 years of independence, dominated mainly by two dynasties and four political parties, profound electoral reform now appears to be a structural necessity for the country’s political and socio-economic future.
There is a certain impatience within the Alliance of Change to implement the flagship measures of its electoral manifesto, while the government requests time, claiming it cannot accomplish everything in one year. Your opinion? This impatience within the Alliance of Change is a logical extension of the climate of exasperation observed among the population and various stakeholders, including unions, who lament the slow pace of decision-making and the implementation of announced reforms. While it is true that the government inherited a challenging socio-economic situation, the observed procrastination seems difficult to justify, as several of these measures were perfectly feasible within the first year, given the available resources.
Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA) also shows its teeth by demanding that the societal projects it proposed to join the Alliance of Change be initiated. Otherwise, stated the Junior Minister of ReA, the party would consider... Is this a veiled threat? It is a clear and perfectly justified threat, as the projects they proposed upon joining the alliance have not received the expected attention during the first year of the mandate. The lack of response to their request for a meeting, made by letter to the Prime Minister, raises questions about his real willingness to fulfill his commitments to ReA.
ReA's electoral weight may seem insignificant, but its presence in the alliance constitutes a democratic safeguard, a reminder of the demand for fairness, good governance, and ecological preservation.
One can observe inaugurations happening here and there, but these are projects initiated under the outgoing government... In the absence of clearly launched projects that form part of the electoral promises, the current government has no choice but to lean on and capitalize on the initiatives started by the previous government. It is urgent for the executive to establish a high-level committee to take charge of the projects announced by the alliance and ensure their quick implementation. The population is waiting for the actual realization of electoral promises within the announced timelines.
There is a statement made, rightly or wrongly: the absence of elected officials on the ground. What do you think are the causes? If the absence of elected officials on the ground is a verifiable observation, the responsibility lies equally with the leaders of the alliance and the party leaderships. The causes can be multiple: a general slackness related to a lack of coordination, consultation, engagement, and regular evaluations. The non-payment of retirement pensions has become an obstacle for some elected officials, who now struggle to face their constituents. Others have completely abandoned their constituencies due to a lack of political commitment. It has become necessary to introduce a Right to Recall Bill to replace failing elected officials in the political arena.
The government makes decisions and then retreats under public and union pressure. Is this good for the country? The government's capitulation on several issues, following public pressure, reveals a lack of coherence, an absence of prior consultation, and unilateral decision-making. It is especially in the appointments to key positions that the government has had to backtrack.
The population eagerly awaits the establishment of "Appointment Committees" to ensure nominations based on competence, both in the civil service and at the heads of institutions.
A general question: accidents are becoming increasingly frequent, and the responsible individuals are often under the influence of alcohol or drugs. How can we combat this phenomenon? Road safety worsens each year and concerns the entire society. It is a multifactorial problem that is far from easy to resolve. The solution requires a comprehensive approach, considering all underlying factors: the behavior of some road users, the attitude of drivers, the condition and signage of roads, the effectiveness of speed control and surveillance devices in strategic areas, the mechanical state of vehicles, the procedures for issuing driving licenses, the severity of laws and their enforcement, the integrity of law enforcement, and the functioning of the judicial system.
Representatives of the various concerned parties must first meet to establish a roadmap, then at regular intervals to assess progress on the ground. This system must be accompanied by an education, awareness, and communication program. Education should begin from school, from pre-primary to secondary levels. Specialized units should also handle the training and awareness of adults at the municipal, district council, mayoral, and village council levels.