Madagascar: the many challenges of the new Prime Minister

In Madagascar, a consensus Prime Minister was appointed on Monday, June 4th.

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina has appointed top official, Christian Ntsay as the new head of government.

An appointment that came a few hours after the resignation of the former prime minister.

Will this appointment be enough to ease the tensions that have lasted for more than a month?

The challenges of the new Prime Minister are still numerous.

First task for the new Prime Minister, appoint the members of the government of national unity.

A major challenge since his team will have to reflect the different movements in the National Assembly, said the Constitutional High Court.

Problem: The Presidential Party and the MAPAR both claim a majority in the lower house where many deputies have changed sides during the term.

Rivo Rakotovao, chairman of the ruling HVM, said his side wanted to keep sovereignty ministries such as finance, interior, defense or foreign affairs.

This new government will be in charge of organizing the presidential election.

An election to be held in November, but the High Constitutional Court demanded that it be held in the dry season, that is before October.

Another challenge for Christian Ntsay: to be accepted by the opposition. “It was the leader of our party Andry Rajoelina who introduced him,” said Christine Razanamahasoa, member of MAPAR.

“We gave other names to the President of the Republic, including mine, but he refused,” she says.

“He is a consensus Prime Minister. We must unravel the situation,” she continues.

But on the side of TIM, no comment for the moment.

When contacted, members of the party of the former head of state Marc Ravalomanana did not answer our calls.

Opposition deputies are scheduled to meet at the 13-May Square in central Antananarivo, today, Tuesday (June 5th) to report on the situation to the people.

“This is an appointment that followed the procedure provided by the Constitution…” Says Augustin Andriamananoro, MAPAR’s communication officer, adding that the new prime minister is a man of consensus.