President of Mauritius
| President of Mauritius | |
|---|---|
 | |
since 7 October 2003 | |
| Residence | Château of Réduit |
| Term length | Five years, renewable |
| Inaugural holder | Veerasamy Ringadoo |
| Formation | 12 March 1992 |
| Website | [[1]] |
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| Constitution |
The President of Mauritius is the head of State and of Mauritius. He is also the commander-in-chief.
The president is elected by the National Assembly for term of five years; it is a largely ceremonial position. It is the highest ranking position and he or she is the highest paid civil servant, however the actual executive is the prime minister. The position was created in 1992 after Mauritius was declared a republic. It replaced the previous role of the Governors General, representative of the monarch. Being the head of state, the person accessing to the post cannot be appointed but is normally sworn to power by the constitution. It stipulates them to swear to fight for the country and also to honour the position. The president has the power to appoint the prime minister. The official residence is at the Château of Réduit which is found in Réduit.
The person who spent the longest time as president is Cassam Uteem, who held the office for nine years.
History
Pre-independence
Before gaining independence in 1968, it was the Monarch of the United Kingdom who served as sovereign of the dependency.
1968 – 1992
After obtaining independence in 1968, the head of state was the Monarch of Mauritius. The only person who reigned as the Mauritian monarch was Elizabeth II; she was represented by the Governor General.
After 1992
On 12 March 1992, Mauritius was declared a republic under a new constitution which made the head of state of the nation a president. Along with serving as head of state, the president also became the commander-in-chief.
Powers
While the president is the head of state, they have no real power over the government. They president should not be in any political party while serving, though many served in a party in some other posting.
His or her job is to represent the country on international basis but not govern the country, it is the Prime Minister who governs. He nevertheless earns the highest salary in the government service.
The president resides at the Château of Réduit with his partner and the general secretary.
If the president does not agree to sign a bill, amendment or act on the second time that is has been put before them, they are given no other choice but to leave the office to make way for a new president. The president is nominated and elected by the National Assembly.
Chancellor
The president also serves as chancellor of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, the highest order found in Mauritius. The president, on the recommendation of the prime minister, announces the list of honourees and personally decorates them. They are given the title The Honourable afterward.
The order is received on Mauritius' Labor Day.
Salary
The president is the highest paid civil servant. They are given a of 150,000 Mauritian rupees (5,000 United States dollars) per month. A new budget bill would increase the salary by 60,000 rupees, totalling the salary at Rs 210,000 ($7,000) per month and yearly arising to Rs 2,520,000 ($84,000).
Objectives
The objects of the Office of the President are to issue writ of elections, organise the protocol to put in place the government and Leader of the Opposition, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the Executive Council and for the opening of the National Assembly and the prorogation or dissolution thereof. It holds various activities to mark holidays, processes files for the proper functioning of institutions as provided for under the Constitution (notably, the Public Service Commission, the Electoral Supervisory Commission, the Commission on the Prerogative of Mercy and the Electoral Boundaries Commission), the presentation of credentials by Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Mauritius and the appointment of Principal Representatives of Mauritius abroad. The office is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the official residence comprising some 240 acres (0.97 km2) of grounds.
Residence
The president resides at the Château of Réduit. Official meetings are carried out in their office situated in the Old Mansion.
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| No. | Name | Took office | Left office | Party¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo | 12 March 1992 | 30 June 1992 | Militant Socialist Movement |
| 2. | Cassam Uteem | 30 June 1992 | 15 February 2002 | Militant Socialist Movement |
| 3. | Angidi Chettiar | 15 February 2002 | 18 February 2002 | Mauritian Labour Party |
| 4. | Ariranga Pillay | 18 February 2002 | 25 February 2002 | None |
| 5. | Karl Offmann | 25 February 2002 | 1 October 2003 | Militant Socialist Movement |
| 6. | Raouf Bundhun | 1 October 2003 | 7 October 2003 | None |
| 7. | Sir Anerood Jugnauth | 7 October 2003 | Imcubent | Militant Socialist Movement |