Politics of Madagascar

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Politics of Madagascar
Government
Parliament
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
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Politics of Madagascar takes place in a framework of a

Senate and the National Assembly. The Judiciary
is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Political history

Madagascar's first President,

Social Democratic Party gained power at independence in 1960 and was reelected without opposition in March 1972. However, he resigned only 2 months later in response to massive anti-government demonstrations. The unrest continued, and Tsiranana's successor, Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa, resigned on February 5, 1975, handing over executive power to Lt. Col. Richard Ratsimandrava, who was assassinated 6 days later. A provisional military directorate then ruled until a new government was formed in June 1975, under Didier Ratsiraka
.

During the 16 subsequent years of President Ratsiraka's rule, Madagascar continued under a government committed to revolutionary

illiteracy
. National elections in 1982 and 1989 returned Ratsiraka for a second and third 7-year presidential term. For much of this period, only limited and restrained political opposition was tolerated, with no direct criticism of the president permitted in the press.

With an easing of restrictions on political expression, beginning in the late 1980s, the Ratsiraka regime came under increasing pressure to make fundamental changes. In response to a deteriorating economy, Ratsiraka relaxed socialist economic policies and instituted some

press censorship in 1989 and the formation of more political parties in 1990, were insufficient to placate a growing opposition movement known as Hery Velona ("Active Forces"). A number of already existing political parties and their leaders, among them Albert Zafy and Manandafy Rakotonirina, anchored this movement which was especially strong in Antananarivo
and the surrounding high plateau.

In response to largely peaceful mass demonstrations and crippling general strikes, Ratsiraka replaced his prime minister in August 1991 but suffered an irreparable setback soon thereafter when his troops fired on peaceful demonstrators marching on Iavoloha, the suburban presidential palace, killing more than 30.

In an increasingly weakened position, Ratsiraka acceded to negotiations on the formation of a

transitional government. The resulting "Panorama Convention" of October 31, 1991, stripped Ratsiraka of nearly all of his powers, created interim institutions, and set an 18-month timetable for completing a transition to a new form of constitutional government. The High Constitutional Court
was retained as the ultimate judicial arbiter of the process.

In March 1992, a widely representative National Forum organized by the FFKM (Malagasy Christian Council of Churches) drafted a new Constitution. Troops guarding the proceedings clashed with pro-Ratsiraka "federalists" who tried to disrupt the forum in protest of draft constitutional provisions preventing the incumbent president from running again. The text of the new Constitution was put to a nationwide referendum in August 1992 and approved by a wide margin, despite efforts by federalists to disrupt balloting in several coastal areas.

AREMA
subsequently passed the 1998 Constitution, which considerably strengthened the presidency.

In December 2001, a presidential election was held in which both major candidates claimed victory. The Ministry of the Interior declared incumbent Ratsiraka of the AREMA party victorious.

Merina
tribe.

After the end of the 2002 political crisis, President Ravalomanana began many reform projects, forcefully advocating "rapid and durable development" and the launching of a battle against corruption. December 2002 legislative elections gave his newly formed

TIM (Tiako-I-Madagasikara)
(I Love Madagascar) Party a commanding majority in the National Assembly. November 2003 municipal elections were conducted freely, returning a majority of supporters of the president, but also significant numbers of independent and regional opposition figures.

Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to decentralize administration. In September 2004, the Government named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President, to implement its decentralization plans. Financing and specific powers for the regional administrations remain to be clarified.

After being re-elected in 2006, Ravalomanana's government was dissolved in March 2009, in a militarily-backed

referendum, in November 2010, to update the constitution. Despite an alleged coup during, this was approved, and new elections were scheduled to be held in July 2013.[1]

The second round of the postponed presidential elections was held in December 2013 and the results were announced in January 2014. The winner and the next president was Hery Rajaonarimampianina. He was backed by Rajoelina who led the 2009 coup and still was very influential political figure.[2] [3]

In 2018 the first round of the

strongman.[7]

In November 2023, Andry Rajoelina was re-elected to another term with 58.95% of the vote in the first round of the election. Turnout was 46.36%, the lowest in a presidential election in the country's history.[8]

Executive branch

Main article: Cabinet of Madagascar
Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
President
 Andry Rajoelina Young Malagasies Determined 27 October 2023
Prime Minister
 Christian Ntsay
Independent
 6 June 2018

The president is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term, renewable twice. A Prime Minister and council of ministers carries out day-to-day management of government. The President appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and members of Parliament initiate legislation and the government executes it. The President can dissolve the National Assembly. For its part, the National Assembly can pass a motion of censure and require the Prime Minister and council of ministers to step down. The Constitutional Court approves the constitutionality of new laws.

Ministers

  • Serge Gelle, Police Minister[9]

Legislative branch

The

Senate
(Sénat) has 33 members; 22 are indirectly elected, one from each of the 22 regions of Madagascar, and 11 are appointed by the President.

Political parties and elections

Main articles: List of political parties in Madagascar and Elections in Madagascar

Presidential elections

Main article: 2018 Malagasy presidential election
CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar
22,2220.45
Roland RatsirakaMalagasy Tonga Saina21,3770.43
Serge Jovial ImbehAntoky ny Fivoaran'ny Malagasy18,9620.38
Zafimahaleo Dit Dama Mahaleo RasolofondraosoloManajary Vahoaka16,3670.33
Omer BerizikyAntsika Madagasikara15,3520.31
Jean Jacques RatsietisonFahefa-Mividy no Ilain'ny Malagasy15,2810.31
Erick Francis RajaonaryMalagasy Miray sy Mifankatia14,7580.30
Rivomanantsoa Orlando RobimananaMadagsikara Vina sy Fanantenana14,5610.29
Fanirisoa ErnaivoZAMA–PATRAM14,1170.28
Arlette RamarosonPARRAINAGE12,6450.25
Falimampionona RasolonjatovoFITAMBOLAGNELA/IAD12,2760.25
Jean Max RakotomamomjyLEADER-Fanilo11,3770.23
Rolland Jules EtienneMadagasikara Fivoarana10,7560.22
Bruno RabarihoelaFahazavan'i Madagasikara9,9810.20
Roseline Emma RasolovoahangyEzaka Mampandroso Antsika8,5780.17
Jean Louis ZafivaoGasy Mifankatia6,1620.12
Stephan NarisonAntoko Gasy Miara Mandroso5,6750.11
Solo Norbert RandriamorasataDemocratic Union of the Christians of Madagascar5,0860.10
Total4,980,604100.004,647,785100.00
Valid votes4,980,60492.794,647,78597.49
Invalid/blank votes386,9467.21119,5572.51
Total votes5,367,550100.004,767,342100.00
Registered voters/turnout9,949,08353.959,913,59948.09
Source: Constitutional Court (first round, second round)

Parliamentary elections

Main article: 2019 Malagasy parliamentary election
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar
16,2480.400
National Union for the Refoundation and Reconstruction of Madagascar15,8010.390
Social Democratic Party of Madagascar15,2670.380
Tanora Maroantsetra Miray15,0980.370
Group of Young Malagasy Patriots14,3920.361
Madagasikara Vina sy Fanantenana11,2450.280
Antoka sy Dinan’ny Nosy11,0080.270
Fitambolangela - Identité, Ambition, Developpement10,4110.260
Movement for Democracy in Madagascar9,8630.241
Fiovana Ivoaran'ny eny Ifotony7,8240.190
Liberal Group of Madagascar7,6870.190
Madagascar for the Malagasy7,1940.180
Congress Party for the Independence of Madagascar5,9880.150
Gasy Mifankatia4,3010.110
Rebirth of the Social Democratic Party4,0230.100
Fihavanan Avaradrano Mandroso3,1060.080
Malagasy Labour Party2,8630.070
RPSD Vaovao2,8090.071
Adhem Fizafa2,8070.070
Ampela Manao Politika1,5180.040
Vondron'ny Tia Tanindrazana1,4280.040
Tanora Malagasy Miroso9960.020
Gasikara Antsika Rehetra8460.020
Antoky ny Fivoran'ny Malagasy8420.020
Fahazavan'i Madagasikara8290.020
Vonona sy Vanona Isika8010.020
TAMBATRA7680.020
FMI Malagasy4760.010
Tafajiabi4520.010
Antoky ny Hoavin'i Madaga2500.010
Independents1,810,69444.8946
Total4,033,381100.00151
Valid votes4,034,12996.36
Invalid/blank votes152,5983.64
Total votes4,186,727100.00
Registered voters/turnout10,215,26740.98
Source: HCC

Administrative divisions

Territorial administration is to be determined by legislation. In an effort to decentralize administration, the constitution calls for the six provinces (faritany) to become autonomous. The provinces are Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara.

International organization participation

WToO, WTrO

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Madagascar Postpones General Elections". African Elections Project. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Madagascar holds long-awaited presidential elections". BBC News. 25 October 2013.
  3. ^ "Madagascar: Election Results Released". The New York Times. 4 January 2014.
  4. ^ "All you need to know about high-stakes Madagascar poll".
  5. ^ "Madagascar court declares Rajoelina as election winner".
  6. ^ "Madagascar: Ravalomanana challenges results in court, Rajoelina calls for calm". 28 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Madagascar President assured of winning majority seats in parliament". 15 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Andry Rajoelina: Madagascar president re-elected in contested poll". BBC News. 25 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Madagascar: Minister 'swims for 12 hours' after helicopter crashes at sea". BBC News. 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2021-12-21.

External links

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