July 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Government of Madagascar has announced that the presidential elections will be held in November, a vote in which the current president, Andry Rajoelina, will seek re-election.
The office of the Malagasy prime minister, Christian Ntsay, has indicated in a statement on its website that the first round will take place on November 9, while the second, if necessary, would take place on December 20.
“The prime minister calls for calm and respect in the face of the electoral process,” he said, before adding that the elections have been called “in line with the laws in force in Madagascar.”
The announcement, which is meant to back the dates proposed by the electoral commission, comes amid political tensions over issues raised by the opposition about the president’s Franco-Malagasy dual nationality, which could keep him out of the presidential race. .
Rajoelina, who prevailed in the 2018 election amid allegations of fraud, was born in Madagascar but obtained French citizenship in 2014, which would have implied the loss of Malagasy nationality, according to local laws, and she would not be able to run for office. elected officials.
However, the president – who already held office between 2009 and 2014 after removing Marc Ravalomanana from power with the support of the Army – has defended his candidacy. Rajoelina prevailed over Ravalomanana himself in the 2018 elections.