Amazing! Malagasy politicians on a soul-searching mission?

In Madagascar, the political profession has yet to win a popularity contest.
That is why the Malagasy politicians, with the backing of the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, have set out on a true soul-searching mission aimed at generating resolutions which will be designed to improve the image of the political profession.

Not surprisingly, a smooth power transition was among the issues debated during last weekend’s “General Political Party Convention”, in Antananarivo.
MFM party president Manandafy Rakotonirina believes that this will put an end to the now customary post-election brawl which occurs every time the country goes from one leadership to another.
He was obviously alluding to the street riots, and the socio-political crises which occurred in 1991, and in 2002, at the end of former president Didier Ratsiraka’s reign.
Thus the “General Political Party Convention” was a golden opportunity, for the members of the twenty-three or so parties represented at the meeting, to mull over their “profession”.

For the first time, the Malagasy political parties unanimously (at least those which are supposed to be active, among some one hundred parties registered with the Ministry of the Interior) brought up the issue of political party financing, as well as the question of equal opportunity and access during various elections.
So that the discussions did not remain just that, a follow-up committee was formed which will work closely work with the new leadership.
Reliable sources confirm that the underlying priority behind this move is the creation of a bill which, when passed into law, will legislate the Great Island’s political parties, and ultimately the political profession.
This time, the discussions have a better chance of being taken into consideration within various circles.
Prime Minister Jacques Sylla, himself, as TIM party General Secretary, was among those who took part in these debates.

The politicians also used the “General Political Party Convention” as a platform for addressing the upcoming pre-scheduled general elections.
There appeared to be no objection.
However, the eyes are still focused on the rules governing the elections, i.e. the electoral code, which, as it has been requested for several decades, is aimed at preserving the integrity of the voting system.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana