Adrien Duval

Adrien Charles Duval (born 21 September 1990^[1]) is a Mauritian politician and barrister who was the Speaker of the National Assembly.^[2]

The Honourable Adrien Duval
Duval in 2024
Speaker of the National Assembly
In office 18 July 2024 – 5 October 2024
Deputy	Zahid Nazurally
Preceded by	Sooroojdev Phokeer
Succeeded by	Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly
In office 22 December 2014 – 19 December 2016
Speaker	Maya Hanoomanjee
Preceded by	Pradeep Peetumber
Succeeded by	Kalidass Teeluckdharry
Member of Parliament for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 November 2024
Preceded by	None
Member of Parliament for Curepipe and Midlands
In office 11 December 2014 – 6 October 2019
Preceded by	Éric Guimbeau
Succeeded by	Louis Steven Obeegadoo
Personal details
Born	(1990-09-21) September 21, 1990 (age 34) Mauritius
Political party	Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate
Occupation	Barrister

Early life, education and career

Adrien Duval is the son of Xavier-Luc Duval, leader of the PMSD, and Jennifer Duval and grand son of Sir Gaëtan Duval. His father and grandfather are both former deputy prime ministers.^[3][4]

After completing legal studies at the University of Kent and the University of Law in England, Adrien Duval returned to Mauritius and started his pupillage at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution under Rashid Ahmine's supervision. He then continued his training at the law firms of Marc Hein and Rajesh Bucktowonsing.^[5][6]

Political career

Duval ran for the National Assembly as a candidate of Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate under the Alliance Lepep coalition in the constituency of Curepipe–Midlands. He was elected as the first member of the constituency and afterwards, Duval was nominated and elected as deputy speaker of the National Assembly on 22 December 2014. At 24, Duval became the youngest MP in the assembly and the youngest incumbent deputy speaker at the time.^[7] Following the departure of his party from the government on 19 December 2016, Duval resigned from his office.^[8][9]

Duval ran for reelection in 2019 under the Alliance Nationale banner in the same constituency, however he was not reelected. In July 2024, as part of a new deal between the PMSD and the ruling government, he was nominated as Speaker of National Assembly of Mauritius following Sooroojdev Phokeer's resignation. He was sworn in on 18 July.^[10] At 33, he also became the youngest speaker of a national legislature at his election. In anticipation of the upcoming general election, Duval resigned as speaker on 5 October.^[11]

At the election held in 2024, after standing as a candidate of Alliance Lepep in the constituency of Port Louis North–Montagne Longue, Duval secured a seat in the National Assembly after being nominated as best loser. He was the only other opposition member elected, besides Joe Lesjongard of the Militant Socialist Movement.^[12]

Legal cases

On 21 September 2022, he was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, resulting in bodily harm for the other driver and is currently being prosecuted for driving under influence and refusal to submit to toxicological tests. On the site of the accident, he notoriously lied to the officers claiming he was a passenger and not driving before later retracting his statement. ^[13]