In Madagascar, the President of the National Assembly requested this Thursday the suspension of the electoral process less than seven days before the first round of presidential elections. A statement made in consultation with the FFKM, the World Council of Christian Churches, at the end of a multi-day mediation, which comes after a week of high tensions and violence against opposition protesters.
Published on: 09/11/2023 – 9:24 p.m
2 minutes
With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Sarah Tetaud
In her statement read to the press on Thursday evening, Christine Razanamahasoa called for “the suspension of the presidential elections scheduled for November 16, as well as the suspension of the election campaign and all public demonstrations.” The goal ? Facilitate a real dialogue and look for a solution accepted by everyone.
This announcement reflects the motion to cancel the election signed this morning by nearly 60 civil society organizations and unions.
We all agree that the current elections are neither free nor transparent and are not accepted by everyone, which is why they must be canceled.
A coalition of various civil society organizations and unions is calling for the presidential election to be canceled
Sarah Tetaud
The statement from the former political ally ofAndry Rajoelinaoutgoing president and candidate for his own successor, should definitely please the collective of 10 candidates who have always refused to take part in the election campaign because they considered that the conditions for a “democratic and transparent” election were not met .
This position marks a new turning point in its relationship with the majority party IRD. Last December, the episode of the motion of no confidence against the Ntsay government had already marked the break between the President of the Republic and the Speaker of the National Assembly.
A break that has now been completed. Three weeks ago, at the opening of the regular session, the President said she was listening to the voice of the people the country was “stuck in a dead end”. A statement that will be seen as a total rejection of the collegiate government, which has always refused to talk about an electoral crisis.
But what weight will this political declaration carry? As a reminder, Malagasy law does not provide for the suspension of a presidential election. To be effective, this application must await government approval. Last month, the latter accepted the postponement of the first round of elections by one week on the orders of the HCC.
The President of the Lower House invited everyone involved in the election to a meeting in the National Assembly tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Read also: Madagascar: Suppression of an opposition demonstration of rare violence in Antananarivo