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Madagascar: Hery Rajaonarimampianina confirmed as winner of Presidential election
Despite the mud-slinging, observers (both local and international), gave the vote the green light and called on the parties to respect the electoral process.
The return to democracy is likely to see Madagascar allowed back into the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, which suspended the country after the coup.
It has been estimated that the political turmoil cost Madagascar around US$8 billion in lost growth. The economy grew 3.1 percent in 2012, lagging well behind most fast-growing African nations.
The 2 top presidential candidates had promised a vast infrastructure construction program for the island-nation, which is has a population of 22 million.
During last December’s elections voters also selected 151 lawmakers in a single-round parliamentary election. Although prevented from running as president, Rajoelina may yet make a comeback on the political scene. His camp last week claimed to have won enough parliamentary seats to name a prime minister.
Rajoelina has hinted that he could stay in power as premier at the side of his candidate, a scenario reminiscent of Russia, where President Vladimir Putin served as prime minister under president Dmitry Medvedev before returning as head of state in 2012.
Source: AFP
