Mauritius - October 25, 2026 - Xavier-Luc Duval, leader of the Parti Mauricien Social-Démocrate (PMSD), has strongly criticized the MSM government's handling of various social issues, including education and social integration. During a press conference, XLD expressed his concerns about the government's policies, citing high failure rates and inefficient use of funds. He specifically targeted the Extended Program, introduced by former Education Minister Leela-Devi Dookun Luchoomun, which he claims has led to a 95% failure or dropout rate among students.
XLD praised the Foundation Program introduced by Mahen Gungapersad, describing it as more technical and better suited to the needs of students. He also criticized the MSM government's decision to abolish the Ministry of Social Integration in 2019, which was created by the Labour Party in 2010. According to XLD, this move has hindered the fight against poverty, and the government's maintenance of the status quo has not helped. He also lamented the closure of daycare centers, which had provided equal opportunities for children from poor backgrounds.
The PMSD leader also expressed his disapproval of the changes made to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) system under the MSM government. He claimed that the system was "etatise" and that private companies were forced to contribute to the National Social Inclusion Foundation instead of funding NGOs that had been effective in helping the poor. XLD also addressed the issue of foreign workers, stating that their numbers are twice that of unemployed Mauritians. He highlighted that in 2022, 34,000 young people aged 16-24 were unemployed, without education, or training.
XLD acknowledged that many young people are reluctant to work, but suggested that this may be due to their negative experiences and mistreatment. He recalled that during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2011 to 2014, the government had subsidized the first year of work for young people through the Youth Employment Program (YEP). He also blamed the laxity of parental authority and excessive tolerance from the police for petty delinquency, which can escalate into crime.
The PMSD leader condemned the recent violence, particularly the use of Molotov cocktails, which endangered the lives of police officers. He praised the courage and effectiveness of the police but demanded exemplary sanctions against Sergeant Taukoor. XLD also addressed the issue of water scarcity, stating that Mauritius has sufficient rainfall, but much of it is lost in canals and rivers.
XLD expressed his opinion that the country does not need Singaporean consultants to advise on how to harness, treat, and distribute water. He appeared to be targeting Patrick Assirvaden, a government official. After his press conference, rumors circulated on social media that XLD and Adrien Duval would soon join the government, but these were quickly denied.
Despite XLD's critical stance on the MSM government's policies, it is difficult to conclude that the PMSD is moving closer to the government. The party's future actions will need to be observed over the coming weeks or months to determine its next steps. XLD's statements have sparked a renewed debate on the country's social issues and the government's handling of them.
Key points
- XLD criticizes MSM government's policies on education, social integration, and CSR.
- PMSD leader demands exemplary sanctions against Sergeant Taukoor.
- XLD expresses concerns about high failure rates and inefficient use of funds.
