It is a clear victory for the party of President Andry Rajoelina in the senatorial elections of December 11, according to provisional official results announced Wednesday, December 23 by the Electoral Commission (CENI). The opposition had decided not to participate in these elections, considering that they did not respect the legal framework. The Senate was until then the last institution dominated by the opposition.
While the current Senate had the colours of the opposition, that of the HVM, the party of former President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the upper house has now swung to the side of the executive. As has the National Assembly and other institutions, also held by the party of President Andry Rajoelina.
It was the mayors and elected municipal officials who voted on election day as required by law. In each of the six provinces, the results announced give Andry Rajoelina an absolute majority. The opposition had decided not to participate in the elections because they did not respect the legal framework. During the 2019 presidential campaign, Rajoelina promised to abolish the Senate, an institution enshrined in the Constitution that he voted by referendum in 2010.
The head of state finally decided to reduce the number of senators from 63 to 18: 12 elected and six others appointed by him.