Madagascar – Election timetable

Hat tip to La Constitution en Afrique blog, which has performed another valuable service by posting a link to the 19 March decree that establishes the current institutional situation in Madagascar.

The decree confirms the end of semi-presidentialism. Andry Rajoelina personally has full powers. In this capacity he has decreed the creation of the High Authority for the Transition to the Fourth Republic, which will operate for no more than two years. During this time, as reported widely, the Senate and the National Assembly are suspended.

Article 3 of the decree sets out the powers of the President of the High Authority. Notably, the president appoints and dismisses the prime minister. Article 6 allows the president to legislate by decree in the Council of Ministers and to appoint and dismiss ministers.

Article 7 sets out the powers of the prime minister, who is deemed to be the chair of the Council of Government.

Last week, Jeune afrique reported that the date of the presidential election had been fixed for October 2010. This would the culmination of a transition process. There will be a National Conference before 26 June 2009, a constitutional referendum in September 2009, and then the presidential election a year later.

In the meantime, Madagascar is isolated. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie has suspended the country, as has the Southern African Development Community and the African Union.

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