Mauritius votes in close parliamentary election
05.05.2010
Mauritians voted on Wednesday in a closely fought parliamentary election dominated by how to secure the recovery of the Indian Ocean island’s economy.
Both the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) rivals have campaigned on strengthening the welfare state and social justice
in one of Africa’s most stable and prosperous economies.
Mauritius (1) -- Analyses -- 2010
More about the elections
05.05.2010
Analysts say Mauritius weathered the financial downturn better than expected.
But nonetheless some voters said they had based their choice on who they considered best placed to sustain the recovery of an economy vulnerable to external
shocks such as global oil prices and demand for key exports such as textiles.
Economic analysts expect reforms designed to diversify the almost $10 billion economy away from the traditional sugar, textiles and tourism sectors to continue
regardless of who wins.
Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam told reporters he was confident he would be returned to office as he cast his vote at the same polling station as his main rival,
Paul Berenger who heads the MMM.
Mauritius has pitched itself as a bridge between Africa, India and China, with a flourishing offshore financial sector, that has allowed the island nation of
1.3 million people to pack an economic punch above its weight.
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