Madagascar’s top court ratifies president’s reelection in vote boycotted by opposition
Associated PressJUL 2023
Madagascar: Top Court Confirms President's Re-election
Image copyright: Antoine Gyori/Corbis News [via Getty Images]
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.