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 of the Republic of Mauritius. Mauritius is a parliamentary republic. This means the president acts as a ceremonial figurehead. The National Assembly elects the president. The Constitution of Mauritius sets out how this is done. The current president is Dharam Gokhool. He was chosen by the National Assembly on December 6, 2024. The president's official home is the State House.
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Understanding the President's Role
Mauritius is a country where the people elect their leaders. It is called a parliamentary republic. The prime minister leads the government. The president is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The president's main job is to protect the Constitution of Mauritius. They make sure that democracy and the rule of law are strong. They also ensure that everyone's basic rights are respected. The president works to keep the diverse people of Mauritius united.
While in office, the president cannot hold other paid jobs. They also cannot work in any profession or business. This helps the president stay independent and fair. They must also stop being a member of any political party. This ensures they can act without bias.
How Laws Are Made
The Parliament of Mauritius makes laws. These laws are called bills. For a bill to become a law, the Assembly must pass it. Then, the president must agree to it. The president can either approve the bill or refuse to approve it.
Usually, the president follows the advice of the Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of top government ministers. Sometimes, the Constitution asks the president to make decisions on their own.
The president is in charge of the government's executive power. This means they oversee how the government runs. They can do this directly or through other officials.
The prime minister must keep the president informed. They share information about how the government is running. The president can also ask for details on specific government matters.
Awards and Public Speeches
The president is 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 awards. They also personally give out the awards. This special ceremony happens every year on March 12.
The president's office helps the president do their job. Their mission is to protect the Constitution. They also work to promote unity across the nation.
The president gives important speeches each year. Two major speeches are the annual New Year’s Speech on January 1. The other is at the start of each new session of Parliament.
A Look Back: History of the Presidency
The job of president started on March 12, 1992. This was the day Mauritius became a republic. It was exactly 24 years after the country gained independence. Before this, Mauritius had a governor general. This person represented the Queen of Mauritius, Elizabeth II.
Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo was the last governor general. He became the first president on March 12, 1992. He served until June 30, 1992.
Cassam Uteem was elected president in 1992 and again in 1997. He resigned in 2002 because he disagreed with a new anti-terrorism law. After him, several people served as acting president for short times. These included Angidi Chettiar and Ariranga Pillay.
Karl Offmann was elected in 2002. He served until October 2003. Then, Raouf Bundhun was acting president briefly.
Sir Anerood Jugnauth became president in 2003. He was re-elected in 2008. In 2012, he spoke out about the economy. He then resigned on March 31, 2012, to return to politics.
Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, who was the vice president, served as acting president twice. She was acting president from March to July 2012. She also acted as president in June 2015.
Kailash Purryag was elected as the fifth president in July 2012.
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim became president in June 2015. She was the first woman to hold this important title in Mauritius.
How a President is Chosen
Who Can Be President?
To become president, a person must meet certain requirements. They must be at least 40 years old. They also need to have lived in Mauritius for at least 5 years right before the election.
The Election Process
The National Assembly elects the president. The prime minister suggests a candidate. A majority of all members of the Assembly must vote to support this choice. The election is not debated in the Assembly.
A president serves for a term of 5 years. The president's job becomes open if their term ends, or if they die or resign. They can also be removed from office under certain rules. Even after their term ends, a president stays in office until a new president is chosen.
If the president's office is empty, the vice president takes over. They act as president. If there is no vice president, the chief justice performs the president's duties.
A president can only serve two terms. This rule was first applied to Cassam Uteem in 2002.
Taking the Oath
Before starting their duties, the elected president must take an oath. This is a special promise. The chief justice oversees this oath.
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
What Happens if the President's Office is Empty?
If the president's office becomes vacant, the vice president steps in. They serve as the acting president. If the vice president's office is also vacant, the chief justice of Mauritius will serve as 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
