General elections – the presidential coalition is expected to win the majority of seats

A political entity?s general election victory has seldom created such a stir in the Madagascar?s capital city of Antananarivo. The « National Coalition », a triumvirate of sort, composed of three political parties – TIM, RPSD, and AVI – closely aligned with president Ravalomanana, has captured all of the seats available.

In 1998, the best funded party of the capital city, AVI, managed to capture 8 of 12 seats available. It is clear that the presidential party has flexed its all-powerful muscles in the capital city. The general elections generated what the presidential movement expected, a vote of confidence for president Ravalomanana, one year after the December 2001 presidential elections, and six months after he was sworn into office, amid overall chaos, and under less than ideal circumstances.

Undoubtedly, President Ravalomanana can finally put his worries aside, and rest easy until the end of his term. Owing to his former rival?s willingness to hang on to power at all costs, he led one of the most grueling bids for the presidency of record, followed by six long months of political strife.

The new president can now have what he always wanted, the majority of seats in the Lower Chamber. The only question which remains is whether the majority would be absolute or relative, through the National Coalition.

TIM party candidate, Mr. Mamy Rakotoarivelo, Communication Minister, received the most votes in the capital city (see picture).

In any event, the voters seem to have understood the presidential party?s message: give president Ravalomanana the majority so that he can go about the business of governing the country without any hindrances.

We all know about the parliamentary whims of former legislative bodies, whims which the representatives wielded at will to impeach former president Albert Zafy in 1996, and to censor one of his administrations, a few months earlier. Right from the onset, when President Ravalomanana decided to dissolve the existing National Assembly, he was simply seeking for a new majority which will allow him to carry out his agenda, during his term, in an atmosphere of social serenity, and political stability. Today, this dream is about to become a reality. And as to stability, President Ravalomanana is not the only one to yearn for it.

Undoubtedly, following such a grueling crisis, the majority of the population is determined to live in relative serenity. The outcome of December 15?s general elections says so, loudly, and clearly. The party?s logic has transcended over the logic of the individual personality. The voters voted TIM in order to allow the party?s founder, President Ravalomanana, to have a free hand at governing the country as he sees fit, without any kind of hindrances. The candidates? personalities had little to do with the way the people voted. Because of that, the December 15 elections is sure to leave many groups feeling somewhat victimized. These include political entities, such as HBM, which claim to be closely aligned with the new president, and which gathered very few votes in the capital, and in other districts, leaving the TIM with the lion?s share. This pendulum swing currently brings about a power shift, and closes a dark chapter in the Island?s history. In the end, AREMA?s subversive drives did little to turn the tide.