On October 9, 2026, Pravind Jugnauth, leader of the Mouvement socialiste militant (MSM), held a press conference criticizing the government's economic management and accusing them of manipulating GDP figures between 2022 and 2024. He targeted the government of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, questioning the accuracy of the State of the Economy document presented to Parliament after the 2024 general elections. Jugnauth also addressed the ongoing water crisis affecting several regions of Mauritius.
The water crisis was predictable, according to Jugnauth, and the government failed to take necessary measures to mitigate its impact. He recalled that weather forecasts had predicted a rainfall deficit, and a national water conservation campaign should have been launched. The former Prime Minister criticized government members' foreign trips during the crisis, including Ramgoolam's visit to London and the absence of key ministers. He argued that the crisis committee should have been chaired by the Prime Minister to demonstrate commitment to addressing the population's difficulties.
Pravind Jugnauth accused the government of using the State of the Economy document to justify punitive measures. He disputed claims that the previous government's economic data was deliberately manipulated and GDP growth exaggerated. The MSM leader cited revisions to national accounts, which he claims undermine the document's credibility. He also listed unfulfilled election promises, including fuel price hikes, pension freezes, and electricity tariff increases.
The former Prime Minister mentioned the removal or reduction of several benefits introduced by his government, such as the Wage Assistance Scheme and Child Allowance. He also noted increases in bread and gas prices, reduced medical treatment for children and cancer patients, and changes to pre-primary school subsidies. These decisions, Jugnauth claimed, were justified by the State of the Economy document and the alleged emptiness of state coffers.
Pravind Jugnauth questioned whether the state's coffers were indeed empty, presenting revised national account figures to support his claims. He referenced a March 2025 IMF technical assistance mission to Mauritius, which identified issues with economic estimates, including calculation errors and data collection difficulties. According to Jugnauth, the IMF report, submitted in June 2025, highlighted significant problems with the government's economic data.
The MSM leader accused the government of launching a policy of vengeance against the population since taking office. He recalled that his party had previously described the State of the Economy document as flawed. The document, Jugnauth claimed, was unsigned and lacked credibility. He also criticized the government's communication and awareness efforts during the water crisis.
Pravind Jugnauth's accusations have sparked controversy, with significant implications for the government's economic policies. The revised GDP figures reveal a substantial discrepancy, with a Rs 164.9 billion shortfall in the initial estimates. The MSM leader's claims have raised questions about the government's handling of the economy and the water crisis, and have sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability.
Key points
- Pravind Jugnauth accuses the government of falsifying economic data to justify austerity measures.
- The MSM leader criticizes the government's handling of the water crisis and its communication efforts.
- Revised GDP figures reveal a significant discrepancy, with a Rs 164.9 billion shortfall in initial estimates.
