Bérenger: "If we stay in the government, I will have to swallow my pride"

After the meeting of the MMM Central Committee, Paul Bérenger addressed the press. Amid grievances, disagreements, and uncertainties, the party leader spoke candidly.

• Meeting with the PM
A meeting with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam is "quite possible." "We are good personal friends, but politically, it’s another matter. We can talk at any time."

• Are you surprised to find yourself in a minority within the Central Committee?
"It's not a surprise! We've seen what I already knew: a large majority of our members want us to stay in the government. It’s not a pleasure, but it’s a reality."

• Possibility of a new political party
Given that the meeting on Monday, March 25, is anticipated and a majority favors staying in the government, the question of creating another party does not arise "for the moment," according to Paul Bérenger.

• Will the departure of the prison commissioner, Dev Jokhoo, or a potential departure of the police commissioner change the decision to stay in government?
"Dev Jokhoo, I won’t talk about. He should go sell fish with Bassoo to fall ill and leave. Bye bye." According to him, Dev Jokhoo should never have been appointed prison commissioner, and everyone knows his opinion on this matter. "The police commissioner is another issue," he added. The latter would be involved in a major bill that is expected to be very controversial: the Serious Crime Agency, he explained. "I’m not a donkey; when a change is needed, I will change it, but when there is no reason to change, I won’t."

• About Tourism Minister Richard Duval
"I am not thrilled with Richard Duval's performance as Tourism Minister, but at no point have I asked for his departure."

• Blackmail with "threats" of resignation
"I am not interested in blackmail. There are disagreements that I won’t reveal for now, but I hope that will change."

• If a full-time Minister of Finance is appointed, will he stay in government?
"That’s what I’m asking for," he implied, clarifying that the question of his departure is not on the table and that they must wait until Monday. "It’s clear that we need a full-time Minister of Finance, as I proposed. It is essential. I also told Navin Ramgoolam that it would be desirable for him to chair a committee of about ten ministers to prepare the Budget. With the conflict in the Middle East, it’s more urgent than ever."

He supported that Reza Uteem (MMM) and Ritish Ramful (PTr) could be good Ministers of Finance, while specifying that his preference goes to Reza Uteem due to his skills, particularly in financial matters.

• Does the uncertainty of his departure hold the country hostage?
"I don’t believe so. There are significant disagreements, and a very large majority still wants the MMM to remain in government. I am not certain I will keep my position as Deputy Prime Minister. As no decision has been made so far, I haven't made up my mind, considering the opinions of party members. By staying in government, he clarified, the MMM is not giving a blank check to the PTr. "If we stay in government, I will have to swallow my pride."

• Are there elements not discussed in the Central Committee that explain the decision to stay in government?
"The mood is as such, and I completely understand the members: after 20 years in opposition, for them, withdrawing is not an option. But I must also consider the interest of the country, not just the legitimate and justified demands of the members. They think, like the majority of leaders, that despite all these considerations, it’s better to stay in government. This does not exclude criticism."

• Gang of five
"When I said that, I did not intend to put the Labour Party on the same level as the MSM. 'No way,'" Paul Bérenger asserted, clarifying that this does not equate to the 'kitchen cabinet' that existed under the MSM government.

• Succession
"I challenge anyone to give me an example where dynasticism has been promoted in the MMM. I have never favored my daughter; she will only get what she deserves. There has never been and there will never be favoritism in the MMM as long as we are here."

• Deadline to end the suspense
"I have no deadline. As long as I am alive, life continues, with its ups and downs. It is normal for there to be anticipation, both from the public and the members. Regarding the management of the country, if something displeases me, I say it; this does not hold things back; on the contrary, it often drives them forward."

• Will MMM ministers be present in Parliament on Tuesday?
"I would not be happy if they did not attend as they have parliamentary questions to answer. They would need to resign to avoid participating in parliamentary work." He specified that, for his part, he had no parliamentary questions to address, allowing him not to attend Parliament.