DayNewsWorld for First Press

MADAGASCAR LE PRESIDENT PAR INTERIM

RIVO RAKOTOVAO

The former head of state has indeed resigned Friday to comply with the Constitution of Madagascar requiring a president who presents himself to his own estate resigns 60 days before the first round.

A first round fixed on November 7th.

On Tuesday the interim president responded to criticism of his proximity to the former head of state, which would prevent him from ensuring state neutrality during the election period.

Rivo Rakotovao was a member of the HVM party of the former head of state but said he was no longer a member of Hery Rajaonarimampianina's party for ten days. If his resignation as head of the HVM, a month and a half ago, had been publicized, this time his final departure from the party was done in all discretion. "Of course, there are suspicions, because everyone knows my choice as a citizen, but it is there that we must make the difference. Now, I am at a level of responsibility where I must fulfill my mission while respecting the Republic, " said the acting president to RFI. His neutrality: his "acts will justify it," he says.

Still, since June it's a consensus government that has been put in place. The national unity government includes ministers from the two major opposition parties MAPAR and TIM.

. "There is a government of consensus so even in the Council of Ministers there will be people who will not have the same political tendencies as me," said this close to the former head of state.

The resignation is seen as a positive signal for peaceful elections, yet some are contesting the date of the election.

Eight candidates in fact, out of the thirty-six in the running for the presidential election, demand a postponement of the election. The best known of them is the former head of state, Didier Ratsiraka. Former Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jean Max Rakotomamonjy are also on the list.

A resolution was signed at the home of Admiral Didier Ratsiraka, requesting the cancellation of the poll and the establishment of a Transition. The reasons for this disagreement on the date of the election are of a political nature:

1 ° The current political climate does not lend itself to it

2 ° The illegality of the decision of the High Constitutional Court of 25th May to demand the establishment of a consensus government is denounced.

3 ° The organization of a national conference with a view to reaching a political agreement is also advanced.

One of them has also filed with the Council of State a request for annulment of the decree of convocation of the voters. The institution must decide on this request on Tuesday.

While these eight candidates require a postponement, the twenty-eight others are not of this opinion. The two big competitors of Hery Rajaonarimampianina in particular, Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana are in favor of this election of November 7th.

Of the 36 candidates running for the presidential election on 7 November, four of them are already attracting attention: the outgoing president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, candidate for his own succession, and his three predecessors: Andry Rajoelina ( 2009-2013), Marc Ravalomanana (2002-2009) and Didier Ratsiraka (1975-1993 then 1997-2002).