MADAGASCAR-IMPEACHMENT/ANALYSIS Madagascar president challenges impeachment vote count.

Record ID: 149640

  • Title: MADAGASCAR-IMPEACHMENT/ANALYSIS Madagascar president challenges impeachment vote count.
  • Date: 1st June 2015
  • Summary: ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR (MAY 28, 2015) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) TOAVINA RALAMBOMAHAY, POLITICAL ANALYST SAYING: "The current situation in Madagascar defies logic, whether it's western logic or even political science logic. Because the national assembly, which has no opponent decided to impeach the president, who happens to have the support of the national assembly.
  • Embargoed: 16th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Madagascar
  • Country: Madagascar
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8NALNHOLB1VBFQFKNEE4LHDGF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimampianina faces impeachment after a vote against him in parliament late on Tuesday (May 26). Critics say he has dragged religion into politics and failed to deliver on his promises after coming to power 16 months ago.
    The vote by 121 of 151 members of parliament must go to the constitutional court to determine if the head of state should be sacked, a move that threatens to derail the country's rebuilding efforts after years of crisis.
    "We should respect the voice of the majority, the parliament's majority is helping maintain stability within the regime," said Jean Brunelle, a member of parliament after the vote.
    In a radio and television broadcast, Rajaonarimampianina said the country needed stability and not political wrangling. Dismissing corruption allegations and questioning the vote count, he said: "I'm still there. I'm still standing."
    Rajaonarimampianina's peaceful election victory in late 2013, the first vote since a 2009 military coup, was seen as a chance to stabilize the poor but mineral-rich Indian Ocean state after years of post-coup isolation.
    Donors have returned, but the government has battled to wean the nation off fuel subsidies and get the economy moving.
    The government does not have enough cash to pay for fuel to run power stations because of a hefty subsidy system, leading to frequent blackouts.
    Opponents also said the president had violated Madagascar's constitution and the secular nature of the state by giving speeches in churches.
    Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, make up 41 percent of the population and Muslims seven percent, according to the CIA World Factbook. The rest practice mostly local animist religions.
    Mixing religion and politics is a sensitive issue in the island state.
    Opponents also said Rajaonarimampianina had failed to set up a new high court, which would normally review the impeachment decision. The constitutional court will now play that role.
    Rajaonarimampianina has also lost the support of the party that helped him to power, highlighting the fractious political landscape. He recently allied himself with the party of former president Marc Ravalomanana, who was ousted in the 2009 coup.
    The decision by parliamentarians to impeach Rajaonarimampianina came as a surprise to many in the country.
    Observers warn that growing discontent on the one hand and political divisions on the other, puts Madagascar's period of political stability at risk.
    "The current situation in Madagascar defies logic, whether it's western logic or even political science logic. Because the national assembly, which has no opponent decided to impeach the president, who happens to have the support of the national assembly. Secondly, the motion for impeachment could pass, which then means that the national assembly is in charge. In case the motion is not passed the president may want to dissolve the national assembly. If he keeps the national assembly, all future laws will be be passed through negotiations. In this case, negotiations mean money or different forms of threats, because there are no political parties with clear ideologies, there are no political movements with a clear political agenda," said Toavina Ralambomahay, a political analyst.
    On the streets of Antananarivo, there were mixed reactions to the impeachment bid but people seemed more concerned about what that means for their daily economic survival.
    "Politics has completely destroyed the lives of the Malagasy people, it's always the poor who suffer," said Andre Razakamady.
    "I think this government is incapable, because life has become harder these days," said Victor Ramaroson.
    Madagascar's economy showed early signs of recovery in 2014 with growth estimated at 3 percent, which could rise to 5 percent this year according to the IMF, but political instability, weak institutions and weak governance are hurting prospects.
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