Electric Session in Parliament: Stéphanie Anquetil Defends Her Right to Question the Government

An electric session in Parliament took place where Stéphanie Anquetil defended her right to question the government. The atmosphere intensified on Tuesday afternoon following a question posed by Labour MP Stéphanie Anquetil to Minister for Gender Equality and Family Welfare Arianne Navarre-Marie, sparking speculation about the relationship between coalition partners in the Alliance du Changement.

On December 9, Anquetil, who is also the Chief Whip, raised concerns regarding the management of the Baie-du-Tombeau Child Day Care Centre. While this seemed like a routine parliamentary inquiry, it ignited significant tension, particularly as prior questions about the management of shelters had already created a charged atmosphere in the assembly.

Deputy Prime Minister and MMM leader Paul Bérenger intervened multiple times, condemning what he labeled as "allegations." This intervention was noted amid a sensitive political climate, where just weeks prior, the country had nearly faced a resignation crisis, only to retract after discussions with the Prime Minister.

Stéphanie Anquetil found the incident "surprising" and did not expect such a reaction. She emphasized that Parliament should be a space for robust debate and decision-making where necessary reforms can emerge. "For me, politics is not a profession but a commitment. There are things that are unacceptable. It is also my role as a parliamentarian... I was astonished by the situation, but at that moment, I thought of the children and the mothers," she stated.

She assured that this altercation would not hinder her fight for the protection of the most vulnerable and for the rights of those who, in her view, "do not have a voice." When asked about Paul Bérenger's stance, she simply commented, "I have no comment to make about the DPM or the minister. I was just doing my job, that's all."

Open Door Policy

On the minister's side, the tone remained composed. Following her participation in the Digital Safety Campaign for International Human Rights Day at Voilà Bagatelle, Arianne Navarre-Marie addressed the contentious exchange: "I am satisfied with my record, but much remains to be done."

She defended her ministry's actions: "Since taking office, I have been working to transform this ministry. We have done a lot, but much remains to be accomplished. We inherited a situation that has been ongoing for ten years. We had to start from scratch. We are doing what we can with the resources available to us."

The minister also stated that she practices an "open door policy": "We are here to receive all suggestions aimed at improving the situation for children and women. It is in this spirit that we welcome all proposals that can help advance our mission."

The Speaker Addresses the MP

The incident also shone a spotlight on Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, the Speaker of the National Assembly. On Wednesday, during the Regional Francophone Youth Parliament of the Indian Ocean at the National Assembly's Lunch Room, she spoke to the press. When asked by Radio Plus, the Speaker reiterated that her decisions are made independently, without any political considerations, underlining her role in maintaining order and the proper conduct of parliamentary proceedings.

However, she went further, inviting Stéphanie Anquetil to report to the police if she believes certain facts are serious enough: "Ultimately, there is a duty to assist persons in danger. 'If those children are in danger, a police report must be filed.' Does a parliamentary question solve all problems? 'That's my concern!'"

She added more sternly: "Don't think I am fooled. Any right-thinking person would understand what is happening. It's a bit unfortunate." She also urged MPs to focus on substantive issues.

The Speaker also revisited the incident involving MP Adrien Duval, stating that if he doubts her impartiality, it is his responsibility to file a motion of censure. She expressed full confidence in the neutrality of her decisions. Additionally, she announced that the report on the use of Kreol Morisien in the National Assembly had been submitted to the Prime Minister on Wednesday: "The ball is now in the government's court," she declared.

"We Are Managing the Famous 60-0 Very Poorly"

Nonetheless, observers noted that what transpired was not trivial. Lawyer Ajay Daby, who served as Speaker from 1983 to 1990, drew a historical parallel: "We are witnessing a repeat of events from 1982. I am not a fortune teller, but I know that significant developments are forthcoming in this regard. However, it must be acknowledged that Parliament is not a courtroom. For me, we are managing the infamous 60-0 very poorly," he said, referencing the overwhelming electoral result of the ruling coalition.

The former Speaker believes each party primarily seeks to protect its ranks, often at the expense of meaningful debate. According to him, the Speaker must "not allow Parliament to be left to its own devices," reminding that every MP has the fundamental right to raise questions: "This is a matter of political culture. The sense of formality must prevail."

Activist and former Labour MP Nita Deerpalsing shares this concern and goes further, describing the treatment of Stéphanie Anquetil as a form of "bullying," lamenting that the MP was targeted while simply doing her duty. For her, the most troubling aspect is that the core of the inquiry concerned children living in precarious conditions in certain shelters. "It is disheartening to see such things happening within the assembly. Parliament exists to reignite debates and provoke actions, but it is evident that the opposite has occurred," she lamented.

According to Nita Deerpalsing, MPs are granted parliamentary immunity precisely to ask uncomfortable questions and push for corrective actions. The reactions from Paul Bérenger and the Speaker's attitude, in her view, raise an institutional unease: "Why defend your minister? Why say these are allegations? We see that a simple question aimed at alleviating the plight of vulnerable people has taken a political turn that prompts us to reflect on many issues."