Madagascar: The opposition denounces an institutional coup d’etat
In Madagascar, the opposition is accusing Andry Rajoliana of having committed an institutional coup d’état.
«The powers that be have carried out a real institutional coup d’état with the aim of putting the Prime Minister at the head of the State during the presidential election period in order to manipulate the results to the benefit of their candidate» the opposition say in a letter to the electoral authorities.
According to the opposition, it is clear that this appointment is a plot to allow Andry Rajoliana to control the elections for fraudulent purposes. The powers that be are afraid that their mafia-like and corrupt practices will be exposed.
The appointment of the Prime Minister, an ally of the President, to head the country in the run-up to the elections was validated by the Constitutional Court.
Mr Rajoelina sent his letter of resignation to the Court on Saturday after his candidacy for the elections was confirmed, the High Constitutional Court said in a statement published late on Saturday.
It is an unsurprising resignation, according to the people of Antananarivo. The constitution of Madagascar requires a sitting head of state who wishes to stand in a presidential election to resign.
The President of the Senate is supposed to assume presidential powers when the Head of State resigns. However, according to the Constitutional Court, the President of the Senate, Herimanana Razafimahefa, refused to take over.
Andry Rajoelina came to power in 2009 in a coup that ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana. He was banned from standing as a candidate by the international community in 2013, but was finally elected in 2018.
