Madagascar's president dissolves parliament ahead of impeachment vote

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday dissolved the National Assembly by decree ahead of an opposition-sponsored vote to remove him from office, amid a political crisis in the island nation.

The head of state faced more than two weeks of street protests, led by young demonstrators furious with the elite that governs the country.

The decree dissolving Parliament “will come into effect immediately after publication by radio and/or television broadcast,” the presidency announced on Facebook.

On Monday, in a statement from an undisclosed location, the president ruled out the possibility of resigning and called for "respect for the Constitution." It was his first appearance since a military contingent joined the protests over the weekend.

Protests in Madagascar. Photo: RIJASOLO / AFP

In another social media post, Rajoelina defended the dissolution of Parliament as a way to “restore order in our nation and reinforce democracy.”

The protests began due to water and electricity cuts, but gradually expanded to include complaints against corruption, politicians, and the lack of opportunities in the country.

Soldiers joined protesters on Saturday and called on security forces to reject “orders to shoot” at the population.

Rajoelina, a former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023 for a new five-year term in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

His rivals are trying to remove him for alleged negligence in his duties, following reports that he had left the country.

But Rajoelina said on Monday he was taking refuge in an undisclosed "safe place" after denouncing alleged attempts on his life.