June 26th, the polemic of the national flag would become a state matter

The leader of the legalistic movement, Jean Louis Rakotoamboa, didn’t think that his call to not to raise the national flag in sign of contestation would cause so intense reactions from all parts. On D-Day minus10, homes were used to show their patriotism off. This year, it is not quite as enthusiastic. Is it the presence of other concerns or the expression of a political opinion? 

The legalistic call was clear:  ask homes not to hang the green-red-white flag outdoor. The symbolic contestation is considered as a patriotic act. On the other hand, militants who join the rallies are encouraged to come with a flag. The call has been expected by a large part of the population. 

In the HAT ranks, the retaliation could provide an idea of the extent of the contestation of a ruling power allegedly supported by any majority. Prime minister Roindefo rings the charge bugle by denouncing a non patriotic act targeting the very bases of the republic. 

The chief of the transition government is supported by his Home Affairs secretary with a strange legal argument evoking the law on communication and the law on political parties. According to Manantsoa Masimana, a party should not downgrade the independence day, the republic’s symbol, by asking the citizens not to celebrate it. 

The members of the HAT came to the rescue. During a press conference, they turned speech into actions. They all came wrapped up in a wide national flag, a so-said top to bottom example of patriotism! 

The region’s chiefs are also required to emphasize the flag duty. Districts not being all pro-HAT, the strategy consists in pressuring the fokontany. Up to the smallest of the communities is ordered to mobilize the inhabitants so that nobody “involuntarily” displays an anti-HAT opinion in favour of the legalistic opposition. 

The national flag polemic reaches such an extent, because it’s an occasion for the whole society to probe the popularity of the transition regime imposed by Andry Rajoelina and his government, some kind of a referendum without the poles. Are you for or against this illegal power, if “against”, don’t wave the flag on June 26th. 

For the HAT, the question is diverted. Are you patriots, if ” Yes “, do wave the flag. Facing the vehement tone used by the power to berate the expression of a passive and pacific contestation, many homes are afraid of the pro-TGV militants. The trick is to raise the smallest sized flag on the most irrelevant location.