If there had to be one issue on which Bérenger and I agree, it would be the fact that the economy is in a state of emergency.” After his trip to Great Britain, the opposition leader marked his come back with a press conference. He painted a rather negative picture of our economy and criticised the government for having led the country into this situation.

The opposition leader said he could not understand how the prime minister could go to Pakistan while the country was facing such difficult times. “Paul Bérenger is flying to Pakistan to meet Parvez Musharaff while the country’s going through tough times concerning the economy and law and order.” He seized the opportunity to have a go at Bérenger saying that the PM thought he could solve the Kashmir issue alone.

The ‘third country fabric’ exemption under the African Growth Opportunity Act III will not be sufficient to save the textile industry, according to the opposition leader. As it will last one year only, it doesn’t even constitute a “breath of fresh air”, he said. Investors will not take the risk of investing in Mauritius knowing that we are in remission.

The opposition leader believes that this situation is due to the lack of action shown by the government. He blames it for not having done everything possible to obtain the exemption. “Jayen Cuttaree said they were not in favour of such an exemption leading to 20,000 job losses in the sector in two years.”

The textile issue, as well as the multiple increases in the price of rice, oil, public transport and electricity, are signs that this government “is not competent” for the opposition leader. “General elections are the only means to bring back to power an efficient team that works in the population’s interests.”