At No. 19, Shock and Bitterness After the Leader's Departure
The announcement hit like a hammer at midday. Paul BĂ©renger, a prominent figure and historical leader of the MMM, has resigned from the party. In the heart of his stronghold in Stanley/Rose-Hill (constituency No. 19), the news spread like wildfire, leaving behind a mix of bitterness and sadness.
In Rose-Hill, the usual hustle and bustle has given way to hushed discussions at every street corner. Between the vendors' stalls and bus stops, there is only one topic on everyone's lips: the end of an era. For many, the idea of an MMM without BĂ©renger seems unimaginable.
Bernard Renoit (a retiree met near the taxi stand) does not hide his disappointment. For him, leaving the government was the fatal mistake. "It's unfortunate, it's regrettable. He's a competent person, but pulling out of the government was foolish," he states with resignation. He observes clearly that if Paul BĂ©renger plans to form a new movement, it will never be the MMM he once knew: "The page has turned."
A notable aspect of this day is the attitude of the long-time activists. Many "die-hard" MMM supporters, although they chose to side with the "group of 15," wore somber expressions. Even if they distanced themselves from the leader's line, the wound remains fresh. Many of them did not wish to comment officially but did not hide their deep sadness over this historical rift.
A little further away, Barlen, a taxi driver, analyzes the situation with a hint of mischief. According to him, the leader had no choice but to leave, as the majority of the party expressed a desire to remain in government. "Paul BĂ©renger is clever; you will see later," he mysteriously remarks.
However, not everyone shares this view. Jean-Marie Laviolette expresses the fatigue of a segment of the electorate through a football metaphor: "Paul Bérenger is a player who cannot play for 90 minutes. Every 20 minutes, he raises his hand, says the referee is bad, and wants to be taken off. This time, it’s too much."
For him, BĂ©renger prioritized his daughter's future at the expense of the country. He believes that supporters are "tired of being in the same boat with him" and now prefer the alternative proposed by the group of 15.
Despite the criticism, "the iconic leader of the mauves" still retains fierce supporters. Mala Christine, a loyal follower, is furious with Deven Nagalingum, the mauve elected representative of the constituency, whom she labels a "traitor." "I have always supported Paul BĂ©renger, and I will always support him. He has clean hands," she asserts emotionally.
The general sentiment remains one of immense waste. For Christine Bhoyroo, although she is not a local resident, this departure will lead to an irreparable imbalance. She admits that supporters had high expectations after the elections and fears the party may lose its soul.
She emphasizes that it is the long-time supporters who suffer the most today. The consensus is unanimous: at No. 19, nothing will ever be the same again. The MMM survives, but its historical face has faded.
