Xavier-Luc DUVAL Leader PMXD

Has the PMXD started its electoral campaign already?

It has indeed. We are covering the whole island - this means that we will organize meetings in every town and village once a week. Last week, we were at Cité Kennedy and we aim at explaining our vision of a better society to the people.

What is this vision?

Well, to begin with - and I think this is the most important thing -we need to have a society where there are equal opportunities for everyone regardless of everything else. People need to feel they matter and they need to feel at ease in this country. Secondly, the PMXD and, before us, the PMSD have always played an important role in the economy of the country. We introduced the Permanent Resident Scheme; we introduced the IRS and let’s not forget that we were the first to talk about duty free. We introduced it in Rodrigues. And, of course, we need to take care of vulnerable groups, we need to make education accessible to them, we need to make sure they have access to medical care. There is also a serious need to reform what we call the State. It has become obese and heavy with bureaucracy; it is swallowing billions of rupees and we are not seeing any results.

What is the response so far?

Very good, I have to say. People are angry with the government and they have had enough. It is by no means an uphill battle because people are suffering and there is deep unhappiness. They have seen that the government’s promises are not followed by actions. I am very confident that the people will hear our message.

Should we expect a merger between the PMXD and the PMSD soon?

Let’s say that this is not on the agenda right now. What happened was: a gentleman from the PMSD approached us and, before we could think about it, he started imposing his conditions.

That’s not the way it works.

So there will be no working arrangement between Bérenger and Xavier Duval?

No.

How would you welcome a couple of new arrivals within the Alliance Sociale? Bachoo and Tengur?

My policy is not to say no to anyone who shares our vision of a better society. As long as any newcomer believes in our philosophy, I do not see any reason why he/she should not be welcomed. It is not about personal feelings. As for Tengur, there is a big question mark. To be studied very carefully.

What do you mean?

Nothing more than what I have said. The most important thing, however, is to remember that we are talking of hypothetical things. We’ll cross the bridge when we get to it.