Politics - 2025 Review: The Harsh Critique from the Opposition Leader

Title: Politics - 2025 Review: The Harsh Critique from the Opposition Leader

Content: One year after the elections, the opposition leader denounces a year of disillusionment. Amid unfulfilled promises and dysfunction at the highest levels of government, he criticizes the administration's handling of affairs.

In a public statement, Joe Lesjongard presents a harsh assessment of 2025, labeling it a period of "disillusionment and great disappointment for the vast majority of the population." He believes that the past twelve months have been characterized by unkept electoral promises and the adoption of measures he deems "antisocial." He notes that the gap between the commitments made during the campaign and the reality faced by citizens has widened throughout the year.

"Lakes are empty for the people, yet they are squabbling over per diem for missions," he claims, highlighting what he perceives as a disconnect between official rhetoric on budgetary discipline and certain practices at the top of the state.

Reflecting on his institutional role, Joe Lesjongard reminds that since the elections, he has served as the leader of the opposition. "Since the last general elections, I have done my best to be the voice of all Mauritians," he states.

He emphasizes that he has increased his interventions in the National Assembly, in the media, and on other public platforms to convey "the concerns of the population" and to shed light on issues that require, in his view, "clarification and action from the government."

Among the issues he raises are several major national current affairs. He particularly mentions "the Ravatomanga case and the blatant shortcomings in internal security, adherence to protocols, and serious bribery allegations." Additionally, recurring concerns such as "the cost of living, indiscipline and drug issues in schools, the PRB report, old age pensions, road safety, and the state of law and order in the country" are highlighted.

The year 2025 is also described as a time marked by difficulties within the state apparatus itself. The opposition leader speaks of "dysfunction between the political executive and the public administration." He goes further to state that there is "an acting Prime Minister who is not informed of important decisions and the Prime Minister who is poorly informed," a situation he presents as symptomatic of a lack of coordination at the top of the state.

Despite this critical observation, he affirms his intention to continue his parliamentary action over time. "In 2026, I will continue to ensure that the public interest is at the center of my questions and the decisions of this government," he indicates, reaffirming his intention to maintain political and institutional pressure on the executive.