Andry Rajoelina , the nemesis in the election year 2013

It was written that elections would take place in 2013. Everything began on January 15th when, under pressure from France and from the SADC, Andry Rajoelina solemnly told the whole wide world that, on behalf of the supreme national interest, his so-called patriotism prompts him to renounce to his presidential ambitions. The international rules are absolute: no putsch making figure is allowed to expect democratic means to remain in command. Not even his majesty may become the exception.

The first round of the presidential election was basically scheduled on May 8th, 2013 in the first electoral calendar issued by the Electoral Commission. Since he was not allowed to run as candidate, Andry Rajoelina did what it took to unilaterally reverse the order of elections agreed on by the Electoral Commission and it international partners. A precious majority in the Assembly was the stake by then, bearing in mind that his party TGV never rose up to presidential power through any election. Transitional Prime Minister Omer Beriziky however refused to proceed to any hastened territorial division, so the project ultimately fell through.

The head of the Transition has however won time since the presidential election has been postponed to July 24th. Lalao Ravalomanana and Didier Ratsiraka filed their applications. Norbert Ratsirahonana , the HAT’s mastermind in chief, acknowledged to have taken advantage from a leak which shot the Special Electoral Court’ secrecy down. As it came to the release of the list of candidates, Andry Rajoelina magically appeared on it, although Edgard Razafindravahy, his party’s official champion happened to be the last candidate to have filed his application at the eleventh hour. Making a politically motivated step openly violating the law was held by the Special Electoral Court as suited. Wrong! Pressure got it replaced!

Financial partners got scared off. They wanted three candidates happening to be not complying with the law to withdraw, or be withdrawn, namely: A. Rajoelina, D. Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana Lalao. The Electoral Commission postponed again the first round of presidential elections on August 23th, yet the situation does not ease up. In the end, the SADC mediation put a strange compromise through, which would change the history of Madagascar: the three outcasts were allowed to have a replacement of their choice make a new application. A couple of less relevant candidates equally held out of the presidential race, Etienne Jules and Roger Kolo, hired one of the ruling power’s favorites in: Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

The first round of presidential elections finally developed on October 25th, 2013. The transitional ruling power informally put its money on the last minute nominee at the expenses of the champion previously chosen by the TGV party, condemned to a solo ride with little more left than a strong grudge of opposition inside. The polls had it right: Jean Louis Robinson and the Ravalomanana sphere led the way with 21% of votes, with a certain Hery Rajaonarimampianina on their heels with 15 %. Then, time came for Andry Rajoelina to surge. He announced in the French press that the trailing finalist actually has his full support, and they would win the second round with 55%. The head of the transition violated the laws…again… by taking such a clear stand… or not; he did quickly, albeit unlawfully, changed the laws, in order not to have to be blamed for breaking them.

On the eve of the election campaign start, the Transitional Interior Minister summoned the press to announce the implementation of a decree decided three months earlier. This decree unilaterally invalidates some articles from the electoral law and from the crisis settlement Roadmap supposed to have become the transitional “Constitution”. That was the way it happened. Andry Rajoelina had become an icon to a presidential election candidate and 119 MAPAR candidates running legislative elections. No more need to resign in order to keep campaigning at will.

The new Special Electoral Court did reject this illegal decree, but only on the last electoral campaign day. How convenient. It considered later that the transitional leader’s influence “was not capable of dramatically upset electoral results”. The game’s conclusion proved the Special Electoral Court wrong. 120 minions to the ruling figured took substantial advantage from administrative terrorism and childish propaganda from a DJ wanna be president dancing during rallies, for  not being allowed to produce any speech. In both elections, his supporters and those who are afraid of his retaliation simply voted for him.