Two Years of Alliance du Changement: Key Moments and Controversies
From a historic 60-0 election sweep to pension reform protests and rising food costs, here is what has defined Mauritius's new government so far.
When the Alliance du Changement won every single seat in the National Assembly at the November 10, 2024 general election, it was described as a political earthquake. The 60-0 result, unprecedented in Mauritian history, gave the coalition an overwhelming mandate. Two years on, the government has racked up notable achievements but also faced growing tensions on multiple fronts.
The opening chapter of the mandate was largely celebratory. A new, expanded cabinet was sworn in, notable for including Junior Ministers at portfolio level and for appointing veteran politician Paul Berenger, leader of the Militant Mauritian Movement (MMM), as Deputy Prime Minister, a significant moment in Mauritian coalition politics.
On the international stage, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius on March 11 and 12, 2025, to attend the country's National Day celebrations, underscoring the close ties between the two nations. The government also marked a historic domestic milestone by commemorating the 1975 student strike on May 20, 2025, acknowledging a chapter of Mauritius's social history that had long remained on the margins of official recognition.
However, internal turbulence soon followed. The so-called Menlo Park affair, linked to Tevin Sithanen, led to the resignation of Bank of Mauritius Governor Rama Sithanen in late September 2025. The Bank of Mauritius is the island's central bank, responsible for monetary policy and financial stability, and the departure of its governor amid a political controversy attracted significant public attention.
The cost of living has remained a persistent pressure point. In response, Commerce Minister Michael Sik Yuen tabled new legislation in Parliament on June 23, 2026, introducing a revised list of nine subsidised food products. The list includes canned items such as tuna, corned beef and corned mutton, and came into effect on July 1, 2026. The move was designed to ease the burden on lower-income households facing rising grocery prices.
Perhaps the most contentious development has been the government's plan to reform the Basic Retirement Pension, known as the BRP. The BRP is a universal monthly payment made to all Mauritians aged 60 and over, regardless of income. The proposed reform would replace this universal benefit with a means-tested pension, targeting payments only at those deemed most in need. The announcement triggered a strong reaction from trade unions, who argue the change would penalise workers who contributed to the system throughout their careers.
What this means: After two years, the Alliance du Changement is governing through a combination of symbolic gestures, targeted economic interventions and structural reforms. The pension controversy in particular signals a shift away from the universal welfare model that many Mauritians have long taken for granted. With trade unions mobilising and the cost of living still biting, the next phase of this mandate is likely to be defined by how the government manages public dissatisfaction while delivering on its reform agenda.
Source: ION News
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Basic Retirement Pension in Mauritius and why is it controversial?β
The Basic Retirement Pension (BRP) is a universal monthly payment made by the Mauritian government to all citizens aged 60 and above, regardless of their income or employment history. The Alliance du Changement government has proposed replacing it with a means-tested pension that would only be paid to those below a certain income threshold. Trade unions oppose this change, arguing it penalises workers who paid into the system their entire lives and removes a social safety net that many Mauritians rely on in retirement.
What food products are now subsidised in Mauritius under the 2026 list?β
A revised list of nine subsidised food products was introduced by Commerce Minister Michael Sik Yuen and came into force on July 1, 2026. It includes canned goods such as tuna, corned beef and corned mutton, among other items. The measure is intended to help lower-income households cope with rising food prices.
What was the Menlo Park affair and why did it matter?β
The Menlo Park affair was a controversy involving Tevin Sithanen that had political repercussions at the highest levels of Mauritius's financial institutions. It led to the resignation of Rama Sithanen as Governor of the Bank of Mauritius in late September 2025. The Bank of Mauritius is the country's central bank, and the departure of its governor amid a politically sensitive controversy raised serious questions about institutional independence.
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