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The results also mark the return of Aneerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister for 13 years until an electoral debacle in 1995.

Ramgoolam, and his Labour Party, fared badly in terms of seats, winning less than 10 seats in the 70-seat Parliament. They, however, won 35% of the vote. The MMM-MSM coalition won over 53 seats and is expected to have another 4 seats as nominees. The new government registered the lowest percentage of votes in Mauritian history, winning with only 49.5% of the overall vote.

Observers believe that this could be a cause for concern in the near future, pointing to the possibility of fresh elections well before the end of the new mandate.

The situation for the Muslim minority may worsen under Jugnauth who has joined with occult anti-Muslim forces to win these elections.

Muslims, for the first time, voted for the Labour Party within a region that has been a bastion of MMM opposition. For 30 years, the Plaine Verte, a majority Muslim region, had voted for the MMM. This time they split their votes between the two parties, a situation that could infuriate the new Prime Minsiter Aneerood Jugnauth.

Jugnauth has been known for his anti-Muslim stance over the years and may take actions that could enrage the tiny but dynamic minority.

The election results have given birth to a new force in the field. The smaller parties in the country garnered almost 15% of the votes in a large turnout within regions dominated by them. No less than 80% of the people voted and their choice indicates that the country is inevitably splitting its electorate into three sections.

The previous bi-polarized political scene seems to have ended and predictions are that the country will most likely be ruled by future alliances with the MMM of Berenger, who has emerged as a kingmaker in Mauritian politics.

The Hizbullah party of Cehl Meeah Fakeermeeah won 5% of votes, indicating that the Muslim electorate did not fully support the MMM party. Muslim voter turnout, overall, was low nationwide.

Observers believe with Jugnauth back in the role of premier, the Hizbullah party may expect a backlash in the future. Jugnauth is known for his rudeness and rough-riding on the backs of his opponents.

However, Mauritius remains a powerful democracy, an example for the entire African continent. The long-running tradition of democracy within the country may not allow any leader to thwart freedom of expression and speech. But critics say that Jugnauth knows how to act within these borders and fear he will take advantage of any communal schism within Mauritius' melting pot.

Ramgoolam strategically failed in the elections to foresee the sudden alliance contracted between the MMM and MSM. Harish Boodhoo's role in the making of the alliance may foreshadow events in the next five years.

Observers believe that Boodhoo was responsible for the downfall of the Labour Party in 1982, and again in 2000, with another complete defeat.

In 1983, Boodhoo sabotaged the victors of the1982 elections, forcing the resignation of Berenger as Finance Minister and forcing the MMM into an opposition party. Observers believe that Berenger might be heading for the same fate with Boodhoo now allied with Jugnauth.

Mauritius' political instability may hamper further progress as the economy of the country is said to be at its weakest since 1993.

The new government, which won without a total plebiscite from the nation (having won with only 49% of votes compared to the 65% the MMM-PSM won with in 1982), will have to redress the embattled economy and certainly take to task the failures in law and order in the country.

The Ramgoolam administration was brought down mostly due to the failure to impose rule on the police force, and failing to check the deterioration of law and order in Mauritius.

The failure of the government to quell riots in February 1998, in the streets of Port Louis, exemplified this deterioration.

On issues of corruption and abuse, issues that forced the MMM to leave the Jugnauth government in 1982 and 1993, Jugnauth may not fare any better than Ramgoolam. The likelihood of the MMM quitting the government on these same issues is not far-fetched.

With these uncertainties now surfacing, Mauritius, however, is not in a crisis of confidence and, for the immediate future, does not seem to face instability. Uncertainties may arise once the new government takes over and Berenger, acting as Prime Minister in 2003, defines issues.

The opposition won these elections not on weaknesses within the Labour party itself, but upon the "Israeli-type" of prime ministerial post sharing proposed by the MMM-MSM. If this promise is kept, and Berenger finally accedes to the Premier job, it will be a historical first.

An opposition alliance in power with Berenger as Finance Minister in September could be a cause for uncertainty in the country. Past experience has shown that no government can work properly when an MMM-Berenger alliance is present. Some observers believe that it will be very difficult for the new government to bring in foreign investors with Berenger as Finance Minister.

Berenger is said to keep a copy of a resignation letter with him in his pocket at all times, and is ready to submit it whenever a scandal arises, all the while proclaiming his innocence.

Observers believe that the new government has the blessing of the white-owned sugar industry in Mauritius. The new opposition has termed the MMM-MSM victory that of the capitalists.

Ramgoolam's rule was plagued by a series of natural catastrophes. The country suffered its worst drought in years that badly affected sugar cane harvests. As a result, the sugar industry generated less revenue, landing a production of less than 250,000 tons, compared to the average 600,000 tons.

This resulted in a severe shortage of forex (foreign exchange) in the country, decreasing wages to laborers and increasing difficulties for less profitable farmers.

Ramgoolam will now lead the opposition in the parliament; his party will have around 10 seats.

He has said that he does not regret not contracting an alliance with Berenger's MMM or Jugnauth's MSM. He said that he preferred to go solo for the elections and let the people decide.

Ramgoolam says that he does possess one regret, that he could not implement a proportional system for the elections in Mauritius.

The Labour Party could have won more than 25 seats in Parliament, ensuring the MMM-MSM alliance could not have ruled with such a large parliamentary majority. The proportional system would have also ensured a fair share to smaller parties.