The government has (finally) decided to be more modest and express its anxiety to the public. If the minister of Finance has taken such a stand since the very beginning of his mandate, this was not the case for the rest of the cabinet ? including the prime minister. But he changed his attitude a few week ago with a peak last Saturday when he openly expressed his solidarity with minister Sithanen in front of his colleagues and the press. No doubt he has given the example to his other ministers who should now think twice before spending in the future. The PM?s ?dramatic tone? only adds to the feeling that the country is in a state of emergency?

But hearing the PM giving such a serious and realistic speech reminded me of his words about a year ago when he was canvassing for election. The state of emergency, described by Navin Ramgoolam, may partly come from waste under the previous regime. But external factors like the drop in sugar export prices and the end of the multi-fibre agreement for textiles are other reasons why the government has to tighten its belt. No doubt it should be congratulated for its recent decision to reduce public spending; this should be the first step towards curbing the crisis. But ignoring other factors that have led to such a situation can be dangerous as well.

Yet, when the Social Alliance was fighting for power, it gave no priority to a reduction of expenditure. Although it must have been aware of the dangers facing the country at the time, it knowingly made electoral promises to win votes while giving little consideration to economic factors. Free transport and the rehabilitation of universal pension are decisions that could have been avoided to prevent the country from falling into even more serious problems.

I however assume that it is too late for regrets and that the whole population should be searching for ways of getting out of the crisis. The very fact that the government does not look determined to go further in the reform of pensions, that it looks quite confused about free transport, could be seen as good omens. It has realised that unpopular decisions are necessary for the benefit of the country. If the government keeps the same trend for the budget presentation, it will show that it is no more interested in short-term benefits but has a more constructive long-term vision.

As for the opposition, it seems they are showing bad faith at the moment. It is quite ironical to see the leader of the opposition come to the forefront to castigate the government?s decision to put an end to tripartite negociations. At the time they were in power, the MSM-MMM alliance declared the tripartites outdated but did not have the guts to go forward with a reform.

They are not being asked to show enthusiasm for government decisions or to openly express their satisfaction with the way it is tackling the country?s affairs. It is only natural that they are trying to defend themselves, as they are being presented by the government as the ones responsible for the indebtedness of the state. But when the government is taking courageous decisions, they too should have the courage - to just remain silent.

The next elections are not due for four more years and the opposition does not need to play with the country?s future in order to win votes. They still have a lot of time for such actions in the future? There is a time for politics and one for serious work? And it seems we have entered the second phase!