Government of Madagascar

Madagascar - Government and Politics

Constitution and Institutions of Governance

The Third Republic gained popular support on August 19, 1992, when a new constitutional framework, constructed by the National Conference, was approved by more than 75% of voters in a national referendum. The constitution, which took effect on September 12, established a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, a multiparty political system, and protections for individual rights and freedom of speech.

Executive power is shared between a directly elected president and a prime minister selected by parliament. The president, serving as the head of state and foreign policy leader, is the most powerful political figure. However, presidential decrees require countersignatures, and the prime minister is responsible for government operations. The president is elected for a five-year term, limited to two terms. If no candidate wins a simple majority, a runoff is held between the top two candidates within two months.

Traditionally, if a president is from the coastal regions (côtier), the prime minister is chosen from the Merina ethnic group of the central highlands, and vice versa. In the first national elections of the Third Republic, President Zafy, a côtier, appointed Francisque Ravony, a Merina, as prime minister.

The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate and the National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale). The Senate, representing territorial groups, serves as an advisory body on social and economic matters. Two-thirds of senators are elected by an Electoral College, while the president appoints the remaining one-third. The National Assembly comprises 138 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms. Parliamentary measures, including votes of no confidence, serve as checks on executive power.

Local governance is structured under the Decentralized Territorial Authorities (Collectivités Territoriales Décentralisées). The 1994 decentralization law created 28 regions (faritra), over 100 departments (fileovana), and nearly 1,000 communes (faribohitra). Some urban communes, such as Antananarivo and Nosy Be, function as departments. While these regional bodies were intended to increase local political participation, their exact policymaking role remains unclear. The national government retains control over key areas such as foreign affairs, defense, justice, and economic planning.

The 1992 constitution established an independent judiciary, with an eleven-member Supreme Court serving as the highest legal authority. Additional judicial bodies include the Administrative and Financial Constitutional Court, Appeals Courts, tribunals, and the High Court of Justice. The constitution explicitly protects fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and a free press.

The transition to a multiparty system was a major shift from the Ratsiraka era, when all parties were required to align under the FNDR’s ideological umbrella. In the first legislative elections of the Third Republic in 1993, more than 120 political parties fielded 4,000 candidates for 138 legislative seats. While the constitution guarantees political pluralism, parties advocating ethnic or religious segregation or threatening national unity can be banned.

The electoral system promotes broad participation, using proportional representation with a largest-remainder rule. All resident citizens aged 18 or older may vote, while candidates must be at least 21. Electoral rolls are updated annually in December, and the country is divided into 68 electoral constituencies. Legislative elections are required to be held within two months of a presidential election. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 1998.

The Fokonolona and Traditional Governance
Foreign Relations

Madagascar - The Fokonolona and Traditional Governance

Madagascar has a tradition of local self-rule centered around the fokonolona, a village council composed of elders and community leaders. Historically, the fokonolona maintained order and provided social and economic support. Suppressed and later revived under French colonial rule, it was officially reinstated in 1962 to aid rural development.

In 1973, the Ramanantsoa military regime introduced local self-governance, replacing appointed officials with elected ones. Under Ratsiraka’s leadership in 1975, the fokonolona was constitutionally recognized as a "decentralized collective of the state" responsible for local economic, social, and cultural development. However, participation remained dominated by conservative elders, with limited involvement from younger generations. Under the Zafy regime, the fokonolona continued providing policy guidance at the local level but was largely superseded by the Decentralized Territorial Authorities.

The fokonolona is often regarded as a defining Malagasy institution, though it originated among the Merina and was introduced elsewhere by both Merina rulers and French administrators. Among neighboring groups, such as the Betsileo, it is considered a foreign concept. Despite this, it plays a vital role in community aid, coordinating agricultural work, and organizing disaster recovery efforts.

The fokonolona fosters a network of mutual obligations, reinforcing social cohesion through shared responsibilities. Meetings bring together individuals from different kinship groups, fostering a sense of solidarity (fihavanana). However, power dynamics remain influenced by age and social status, with lower-status groups, such as descendants of slaves (andevo), having little influence.

A key cultural element of fokonolona meetings is the kabary, a traditional oratory style where speakers use poetic and indirect language to present arguments. Rather than direct confrontation, dissenting opinions are expressed through subtle counterpoints or humorous remarks. If an audience responds positively to an alternative speech, the first speaker’s position is implicitly rejected without open dispute.

Madagascar - Government and Politics

Constitution and Institutions of Governance

The Third Republic gained popular support on August 19, 1992, when a new constitutional framework, constructed by the National Conference, was approved by more than 75% of voters in a national referendum. The constitution, which took effect on September 12, established a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, a multiparty political system, and protections for individual rights and freedom of speech.

Executive power is shared between a directly elected president and a prime minister selected by parliament. The president, serving as the head of state and foreign policy leader, is the most powerful political figure. However, presidential decrees require countersignatures, and the prime minister is responsible for government operations. The president is elected for a five-year term, limited to two terms. If no candidate wins a simple majority, a runoff is held between the top two candidates within two months.

Traditionally, if a president is from the coastal regions (côtier), the prime minister is chosen from the Merina ethnic group of the central highlands, and vice versa. In the first national elections of the Third Republic, President Zafy, a côtier, appointed Francisque Ravony, a Merina, as prime minister.

The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate and the National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale). The Senate, representing territorial groups, serves as an advisory body on social and economic matters. Two-thirds of senators are elected by an Electoral College, while the president appoints the remaining one-third. The National Assembly comprises 138 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms. Parliamentary measures, including votes of no confidence, serve as checks on executive power.

Local governance is structured under the Decentralized Territorial Authorities (Collectivités Territoriales Décentralisées). The 1994 decentralization law created 28 regions (faritra), over 100 departments (fileovana), and nearly 1,000 communes (faribohitra). Some urban communes, such as Antananarivo and Nosy Be, function as departments. While these regional bodies were intended to increase local political participation, their exact policymaking role remains unclear. The national government retains control over key areas such as foreign affairs, defense, justice, and economic planning.

The 1992 constitution established an independent judiciary, with an eleven-member Supreme Court serving as the highest legal authority. Additional judicial bodies include the Administrative and Financial Constitutional Court, Appeals Courts, tribunals, and the High Court of Justice. The constitution explicitly protects fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and a free press.

The transition to a multiparty system was a major shift from the Ratsiraka era, when all parties were required to align under the FNDR’s ideological umbrella. In the first legislative elections of the Third Republic in 1993, more than 120 political parties fielded 4,000 candidates for 138 legislative seats. While the constitution guarantees political pluralism, parties advocating ethnic or religious segregation or threatening national unity can be banned.

The electoral system promotes broad participation, using proportional representation with a largest-remainder rule. All resident citizens aged 18 or older may vote, while candidates must be at least 21. Electoral rolls are updated annually in December, and the country is divided into 68 electoral constituencies. Legislative elections are required to be held within two months of a presidential election. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 1998.

The Fokonolona and Traditional Governance
Foreign Relations

Madagascar - The Fokonolona and Traditional Governance

Madagascar has a tradition of local self-rule centered around the fokonolona, a village council composed of elders and community leaders. Historically, the fokonolona maintained order and provided social and economic support. Suppressed and later revived under French colonial rule, it was officially reinstated in 1962 to aid rural development.

In 1973, the Ramanantsoa military regime introduced local self-governance, replacing appointed officials with elected ones. Under Ratsiraka’s leadership in 1975, the fokonolona was constitutionally recognized as a "decentralized collective of the state" responsible for local economic, social, and cultural development. However, participation remained dominated by conservative elders, with limited involvement from younger generations. Under the Zafy regime, the fokonolona continued providing policy guidance at the local level but was largely superseded by the Decentralized Territorial Authorities.

The fokonolona is often regarded as a defining Malagasy institution, though it originated among the Merina and was introduced elsewhere by both Merina rulers and French administrators. Among neighboring groups, such as the Betsileo, it is considered a foreign concept. Despite this, it plays a vital role in community aid, coordinating agricultural work, and organizing disaster recovery efforts.

The fokonolona fosters a network of mutual obligations, reinforcing social cohesion through shared responsibilities. Meetings bring together individuals from different kinship groups, fostering a sense of solidarity (fihavanana). However, power dynamics remain influenced by age and social status, with lower-status groups, such as descendants of slaves (andevo), having little influence.

A key cultural element of fokonolona meetings is the kabary, a traditional oratory style where speakers use poetic and indirect language to present arguments. Rather than direct confrontation, dissenting opinions are expressed through subtle counterpoints or humorous remarks. If an audience responds positively to an alternative speech, the first speaker’s position is implicitly rejected without open dispute.

Madagascar - Foreign Relations

Madagascar's foreign policy has evolved significantly since independence, initially centered around close ties with France, before shifting towards a more diversified approach.

In the early years, Franco-Malagasy relations were cemented through multiple agreements, including economic and financial arrangements that maintained strong French influence over Madagascar's economy. France also retained military access to key bases in Madagascar, including Antsiranana and Ivato airfield, while providing military aid and training to Malagasy security forces.

Under President Ratsiraka, Madagascar pursued a more independent foreign policy, distancing itself from France and strengthening ties with socialist and communist states such as the Soviet Union, China, and North Korea. This period saw nationalization efforts targeting French financial institutions, as well as claims over French-controlled islands near Madagascar.

Despite ideological shifts, Madagascar maintained economic relations with Western nations. The country re-established diplomatic and economic ties with the United States and European countries in the 1980s, with France remaining its largest trading partner and primary source of foreign aid. In the 1990s, the post-Cold War era led to a greater emphasis on economic diversification, forging new relationships with countries such as South Korea, Israel, and South Africa.

Madagascar's modern foreign policy continues to balance historical ties with France while fostering new economic partnerships, particularly in Asia and Africa, to support national development and regional cooperation.

Madagascar - Current Government and Politics

Government Structure

Madagascar operates as a semi-presidential representative democratic republic under the constitution of the Fourth Republic, established in 2010. This system ensures a division of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches while maintaining checks and balances.

Executive Branch

The President of Madagascar serves as head of state and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term, renewable once. The President appoints the Prime Minister, who is typically nominated by the National Assembly. The President retains the authority to dissolve the National Assembly, while the Assembly can issue a motion of censure requiring the Prime Minister and their cabinet to resign.

As of 2024, Andry Rajoelina holds the presidency, having been re-elected in November 2023, and Christian Ntsay continues as Prime Minister, a position he has held since 2018.

Legislative Branch

Madagascar has a bicameral Parliament consisting of:

• National Assembly: Comprising 151 members elected for five-year terms, this body exercises legislative authority and represents the Malagasy population.
• Senate: Consisting of 18 members serving six-year terms, the Senate represents territorial groups and provides advisory input on social and economic matters. Twelve senators are elected by local officials, while six are appointed by the President.

Judicial Branch

The judiciary functions independently, modeled after the French legal system. Key judicial institutions include:

• High Constitutional Court: Ensures constitutional interpretation and the legality of legislative actions.
• Supreme Court: Serves as the highest court of appeal and oversees judicial administration.
• High Court of Justice: Handles cases involving high-ranking officials.

Despite these legal safeguards, challenges such as limited judicial capacity and prolonged pretrial detentions persist.

Local Governance

Madagascar is administratively divided into 22 regions, each governed by a regional council. These regions are further divided into communes, facilitating localized administration and governance.

Recent Political Developments

In November 2023, Madagascar held presidential elections, with Andry Rajoelina securing re-election with 58.95% of the vote in the first round. Voter turnout was notably low, at 46.36%, the lowest in Madagascar’s electoral history.

Legislative elections followed in May 2024, resulting in the presidential party securing an absolute majority in the National Assembly, with 84 out of 163 deputies aligning with the ruling coalition. A new cabinet was formed, consisting of 27 ministers and two secretaries of state, with 12 women included, reflecting an effort toward gender inclusivity.

Madagascar continues to navigate its political landscape, working toward the consolidation of democratic institutions and socio-economic development while balancing historical ties and new international partnerships.