Madagascar: Top Court Confirms President's Re-election
The Facts
Following judicial claims concerning the credibility of Madagascar's election earlier this month, the country's Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that incumbent Pres. Andry Rajoelina has won his third term in office.
Court chair Florent Rakotoarisoa announced that Rajoelina won 58.96% of the vote from a 46.35% voter turnout. Second-place Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who himself had a legal challenge dismissed, received 14.39% of the vote, according to the court.
The Spin
Narrative A
Rajoelina continues to wield an arbitrary and extremely personal use of power in Madagascar, unchecked by his judicial appointees and parliament in what is little more than a rubber-stamping exercise. The Malagasy have lost faith in their own country, which continues to reside within unstable social and economic conditions while bearing the brunt of climate change.
Narrative B
There's no surprise in the court's confirmation of Madagascar's election results. Having gained a clear majority of nearly 60%, the decision should have never been in doubt, with the allegations only serving to risk a political crisis. With likeness to the reaction following Rajoelina's previous electoral victory, there's insufficient evidence for the accusations of the opposition to be deemed true.
