Government and Politics of Madagascar

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Legal System

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 21 January 2019, following disputed 2018 election results; previously served as transitional leader 2009–2014) head of government: Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since June 2018, reappointed under RAJOELINA administration) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 November and 19 December 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote in second round - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV/IRD) 55.7%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 44.3%

Legislative Branch

Madagascar's national legislature is a bicameral Parliament consisting of two chambers: the National Assembly (Antenimierampirenena) and the Senate (Antenimieran-doholona). The National Assembly has 151 seats, with members directly elected by popular vote using a first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms. The most recent legislative elections were held in May 2019, with the ruling Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) coalition winning a commanding majority. IRMAR secured approximately 84 seats, followed by independent candidates and smaller parties filling the remaining seats. The Senate has 18 seats, reduced from its previous composition under constitutional reforms. Two-thirds of senators are elected by an electoral college composed of regional and municipal councillors, while the remaining one-third are appointed by the president. Senators serve five-year terms. Madagascar's legislative structure has undergone significant changes following the political crisis of 2009, the transitional period that followed, and the adoption of a new constitution in 2010, which restructured both chambers and redefined their roles and compositions. The country returned to constitutional governance following the 2013 elections, with subsequent legislative cycles further consolidating the framework established under the Fourth Republic.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Political Parties

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]

Head of State

President Andry RAJOELINA (since 21 January 2019, following disputed 2018 election results

Head of Government

Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since June 2018, reappointed under RAJOELINA administration)

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

Constitution

19 August 1992 by national referendum

Independence

26 June 1960 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

International Organization Participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 consulate(s) general: New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador James D. MCGEE embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Capital City

Antananarivo

Location

18 55 S, 47 31 E

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the name, which means "City of the Thousand," was bestowed by 17th century King ADRIANJAKA to honor the soldiers assigned to guard the city

U.S. Embassy Antananarivo Lot 207 A, Point Liberty, Andranoro-Antehiroka, Antananarivo (105), Madagascar Mailing address: B.P. 5253, Antananarivo (105) Madagascar Telephone: [261] (20) 23-480-00 Fax: [261] (20) 23-480-35

Military Branches

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie

Service Age and Obligation

18-25 years of age for male-only voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation is 18 months for military or equivalent civil service; 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits and 35 years of age for those with military experience