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Madagascar: Presidential election to be held on Friday
The 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power has had a negative impact on the country. Poverty levels have climbed nearly 8 per cent since 2005 – “the worst rate for a country not at war”, according to the World Bank’s chief in Madagascar, Haleh Bridi.
There is a good chance that if a new government is elected, it will likely enjoy greater legitimacy, allowing for the resumption of investment, both local and foreign.
What the citizens of the country are looking for is a return to stability and legitimacy in order to move on, investors will also be looking for the same.
Seeking to prevent a potential dispute after the vote, mediators managed to seal a deal to block incumbent president Rajoelina and former president Ravalomanana, the two main and fiercely bitter political rivals.
After a blocked attempt to push his wife Lalao to run, Ravalomanana decided to back Robinson Jean Louis, his former health minister. If he wins, Jean Louis has vowed to appoint either Ravalomanana or his wife as prime minister.
President Rajoelina’s TGV party has fielded three candidates for the race, a move likely to split its votes. The favorite of the trio is former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
