In Madagascar, the presidential race has entered its home stretch. As the date of the first round of the presidential election, set for Thursday, November 16, is fast approaching, the candidates are holding more meetings to convince voters. It is in this context that the outgoing head of state Andry Rajoelina held a rally in Antananarivo, while the opposition candidate, Siteny Randrianosoloniaiko, was present in Toamasina, in the east of the country.
This last stage of the electoral campaign is marked by a real political standoff. The “Collective of 10”, a group of opponents, categorically refuses to consider holding the election and continues to mobilize its supporters. Saturday November 11, following an opposition march in Antananarivo, candidate Roland Ratsiraka confidently asserted that there would be no election on November 16.
The situation is therefore tense in Madagascar, with on one side the supporters of the interim government who call on the population to vote massively, and on the other the opponents who denounce an “institutional coup d’état” and demand the suspension of the process. electoral. The President of the National Assembly, for her part, requested this suspension, supported by civil society, religious leaders and unions.
In this context of political tension, the electoral campaign is taking place at two speeds. President Andry Rajoelina is leading a classic campaign, while Siteny Randrianosoloniaiko is continuing his despite the circumstances. The latter refuses to believe in “empty chair politics” and does everything possible to convince voters to place their trust in him.
Four days before the vote, Madagascar therefore finds itself facing a political impasse. The standoff between the interim government and the opposition threatens to disrupt the conduct of the presidential election. All that remains is to wait to see if political tensions can be eased and if the electoral process can take place under normal conditions.