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Madagascar Page |
Welcome to ElectionInfo.com's pages on Madagascar
Official Name: Republic of Madagascar
Capital: Antananarivo
Area: 587,040 square kilometres (226,657 square miles)
Major cities (Population): Antananarivo 690,000 (1990)
Population: 14,763,000 (1995 estimate)
Population growth rate: 3.2 per cent (1990-1995 average)
Type of government: Republic
Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
Constitution: 19 August 1992
Voting Rights: Universal at age 18
Government
Madagascar was annexed by the French in 1896 and became self-governing within the French Community in 1958 as the Malagasy Republic. It gained full independence in 1960 and took the name Democratic Republic of Madagascar in 1975.
Under the 1975 constitution, Madagascar was ruled by a president, elected to serve a seven-year term, who appoints the 22-member Supreme Revolutionary Council. The prime minister heads the Council of Ministers and the People’s National Assembly, with 137 members elected to serve five-year terms. A transitional government was instituted in November 1991, and a new constitution reducing the powers of the president was approved in August 1992.
The judicial system is modelled on that of France. It includes a supreme court in Antananarivo, a court of appeal, 11 courts of first instance, and special economic and criminal tribunals.
The structure of local government incorporates six provinces, which are divided into prefect/prefectures, subprefectures, and cantons.
Madagascar is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and several other international organizations. It is a signatory to the second Lomé Convention, an agreement made in 1979 on cooperation between the European Union (EU) and some 60 developing countries.
Recent History
After a decade of political stability immediately following its independence, the country experienced serious social and political unrest. In January 1976 Lieutenant Commander Didier Ratsiraka began a seven-year term as president. Economic pressures in the late 1970s added to political unrest, and the military-backed government responded with a series of repressive measures. Alleged anti-government plots were reported in 1977, 1980, and 1982. Re-elected in November 1982 and March 1989, Ratsiraka suppressed another coup attempt in May 1990. After massive anti-government demonstrations, he promised in August 1991 to implement democratic reforms. A transitional government took office in November, and a new constitution was approved by popular referendum in August 1992.
Albert Zafy defeated Ratsiraka in a presidential election in February 1993. The transition to civilian rule has been marked by opposition from troops loyal to Ratsiraka, as well as conflicts with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the exchange rate of the Malagasy franc.
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