It’s evident that many Mauritians today do not connect with the narratives of either the ruling alliance or the supposed opposition alternative. Personal interests, rather than national concerns, often drive their support. Are voters beginning to mirror the politicians themselves?

Mauritians are increasingly frustrated with broken promises from both sides. Despite the introduction of a metro system, it has failed to ease city congestion as fewer than 10% of commuters use it. The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation remains a hub of skewed propaganda, and alarmingly, the Media Trust is being misused to train young journalists. Fuel prices stay high, the Freedom of Information Act has been suppressed, and even the storied Champ de- Mars has lost its charm. Meanwhile, the tourism sector is struggling to attract young people who now prefer to work on cruise ships. The government seeks another term, hinting that the opposition leaders are too old to effectively challenge it.

The once-frequent prediction of a “60-0” election sweep is now seldom heard. Political analysts are recalculating based on the increasing number of people attending opposition meetings or expressing dissent online. While a decrease in fear at anti-government rallies might indicate growing weariness with the administration, the vast majority remains silent, seemingly biding their time until the next election. Beyond the numbers, the quality of political engagement is crucial. If a faction fails to address social or economic challenges, it often merely criticizes the opposition’s ideas. Genuine democratic debates are replaced with amplified conflicts, reminiscent of the satirical videos on social media.

More than three decades after the Berlin Wall’s fall, Mauritius continues to erect unnecessary barriers within its constituencies and between the two major political blocs. Despite opportunities for integration over the past fifty years, each side still draws supporters through divisive, community-based tactics. These political strategies divert attention from pressing, long-term issues that extend beyond five-year government terms.

The political landscape is so polarized that the centre seems empty, despite scattered civic voices. Favouring established camps like Jugnauth versus Ramgoolam over emerging smaller parties perpetuates a harmful and precarious state for our democracy. It fosters desperate measures, like repeatedly swapping one dynastic rule for another or one prime minister for the next, without real change.