Mauritius Party Proposes Two-Term PM Limit in Constitution Reform

A Mauritian political party called the Nouveaux Démocrates, or New Democrats, has submitted proposals for a major overhaul of the country's constitution, with two headline measures: capping the Prime Minister's time in office at two terms, and abolishing the practice of provisional charges in the justice system.

Mauritius currently has no term limits for its Prime Minister. Under the Westminster-style parliamentary system the country inherited from Britain, a Prime Minister can remain in office indefinitely as long as their party holds a majority in the National Assembly. The Nouveaux Démocrates argue that introducing a two-term cap would strengthen democratic accountability and prevent the excessive concentration of power in a single individual over many years.

The second major proposal targets provisional charges, a legal mechanism that has long been controversial in Mauritius. Under current practice, police can place a suspect under a provisional charge, which holds them in a kind of legal limbo without a full formal indictment being filed immediately. Critics argue the system can be abused to detain individuals for extended periods without sufficient judicial oversight, and that it puts unfair pressure on suspects before a proper case is built. The Nouveaux Démocrates are calling for this mechanism to be removed entirely from the legal framework.

These proposals come at a moment when constitutional reform is firmly on the national agenda. The current government, led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and the Alliance du Changement coalition, which won the November 2024 general election by a wide margin, has signalled its intention to review several constitutional provisions. A broader public consultation process on constitutional change has been under way, with political parties, civil society groups and legal experts all invited to contribute.

The Nouveaux Démocrates are a smaller party within this political landscape, but their submission adds to a growing body of reform proposals that will likely shape the debate in the months ahead. Other areas being discussed across various stakeholders include electoral system reform, the independence of institutions, and strengthening checks and balances.

What this means: For ordinary Mauritians, a two-term limit on the Prime Minister would be a significant constitutional first, reducing the risk of entrenched long-term rule by any single leader. The abolition of provisional charges, if adopted, would represent a meaningful protection for anyone caught up in the justice system, ensuring that detention is tied more closely to formal legal proceedings rather than preliminary police decisions. Both changes would require a three-quarters majority in the National Assembly to pass as constitutional amendments, meaning broad cross-party support would be essential.

Source: Le Defi Media