President of Mauritius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Mauritius |
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Presidential standard of Mauritius
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Presidential coat of arms
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| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | State House (Official) |
| Nominator | Elected by members of the National Assembly on a motion made by the Prime Minister |
| Term length | Five years,
renewable once
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Mauritius (1968) |
| Inaugural holder | Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo |
| Formation | 12 March 1992 |
| Deputy | Vice President of Mauritius |
| Salary | Rs 3.74 Million |
| Website | Official website: http://president.govmu.org |
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The President of the Republic of Mauritius (French: Président de la République de Maurice) is the head of state for the island nation of Mauritius. Mauritius is a parliamentary republic, which means the president's role is mostly ceremonial. The National Assembly chooses the president, as explained in the Constitution of Mauritius.
The current president is Dharam Gokhool. He was elected by the National Assembly on 6 December 2024. The official home of the president is the State House.
Contents
Understanding the President's Role
Mauritius is a parliamentary republic. In this system, the prime minister is the head of the government. The president, however, is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
What the President Does
The president's main job is to protect and support the Constitution of Mauritius. They make sure that democracy and the rule of law are strong. The president also ensures that everyone's basic rights are respected. They work to keep the different groups in Mauritius united and strong.
While in office, the president cannot hold any other paid job. They also cannot work in any profession or run a business. This helps the president stay independent and fair. The president must also stop being a member of any political party during their time in office. This helps them act without political bias.
Laws and Government
Laws in Mauritius are made when the National Assembly passes a bill. The president then gives their approval to the bill. This makes it a law. The president usually follows the advice of the Cabinet (a group of top ministers).
The executive authority of Mauritius belongs to the president. This means they have the power to carry out government decisions. They can do this directly or through other officials. The prime minister must keep the president fully updated on how the government is running. They also provide any information the president asks for.
Honors and Speeches
The president is also the leader of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. This is the highest award given in Mauritius. The president announces who will receive these honors. They also personally give out the awards. This special ceremony happens every year on 12 March.
The president's office helps the president do their duties. Their goal is to protect the Constitution and promote national unity. The president gives important public speeches each year. These include the annual New Year’s Speech on 1 January. They also speak at the start of each new session of Parliament.
A Look at History
The office of president was created on 12 March 1992. This was the day Mauritius officially became a republic. It happened exactly 24 years after Mauritius gained its independence. Before 1992, Mauritius had a governor general. This person represented the Queen of Mauritius, Elizabeth II.
First Presidents
Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo was the last governor-general. He became the first president of Mauritius on 12 March 1992. He served until 30 June 1992. Cassam Uteem was elected president in 1992 and again in 1997. He served from 30 June 1992 until 15 February 2002. He resigned because he disagreed with a new anti-terrorism law.
After him, Angidi Chettiar, the vice president, became acting president for two days. Then Ariranga Pillay was acting president for a short time. Karl Offmann was elected president in 2002. He served until 1 October 2003. Raouf Bundhun then acted as president briefly.
Recent Presidents
Sir Anerood Jugnauth was elected president in 2003. He was re-elected in 2008. He resigned on 31 March 2012 to return to politics. Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, the vice president, became acting president.
Kailash Purryag was elected as the fifth president on 20 July 2012. He served until 2015. Monique Ohsan Bellepeau again acted as president for a few days in June 2015. Then Ameenah Gurib-Fakim became president. She was the first woman to hold this important position in Mauritius.
How a President is Chosen
Becoming president involves a clear process.
Who Can Be President?
To be eligible, a person must be at least 40 years old. They must also have lived in Mauritius for at least five years right before the election.
The Election Process
The Constitution of Mauritius explains how the president is elected. The prime minister suggests a person to the National Assembly. The majority of all members in the Assembly must vote to support this person. The term of office for a president is five years.
The president's job becomes vacant if their term ends, they pass away, or they resign. A president can also be removed or suspended from office under certain rules. If a president's term ends, they continue to serve until a new president takes office.
If the president's office is empty, the vice president takes over. If there is no vice president, the chief justice performs the president's duties. A president can serve for a maximum of two terms.
Taking the Oath
Before starting their duties, the person elected president must take an oath. This oath is a promise to faithfully do their job. The chief justice oversees this important ceremony.
The oath states:
I, ...................................., do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President (or Vice President or Acting President) and will, to the best of my ability without favour or prejudice, defend the Constitution, and the institutions of democracy and the rule of law, ensure that the fundamental rights are protected and the unity of the diverse Mauritian nation maintained and strengthened
Who Takes Over?
If the president's office becomes empty, the vice president steps in as acting president. If the vice president's office is also empty, then the chief justice of Mauritius becomes the acting president.
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Mauricio para niños
- List of heads of state of Mauritius
- First Lady of Mauritius
- Vice President of Mauritius
- Governor-General of Mauritius
- Prime Minister of Mauritius
- Government of Mauritius
