Madagascar’s political crisis deepened on Tuesday as the country’s lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Andry Rajoelina over what lawmakers described as “desertion of duty.”
The motion, which secured 130 votes in favour, surpassing the two-thirds constitutional threshold required in the 163-member chamber, represented a major blow to the embattled leader, who has reportedly gone into hiding amid mounting protests over his administration’s handling of national affairs.
In its resolution, the National Assembly accused Rajoelina of abandoning his constitutional responsibilities and failing to address the escalating political and economic unrest gripping the Indian Ocean nation.
However, the presidency swiftly rejected the impeachment as illegitimate, describing the parliamentary move as “devoid of any legal basis.”
“The session and its outcome have no standing in law,” a presidential spokesperson said in a statement, insisting that the president remains in office and continues to discharge his duties.
Rajoelina, who returned to power in 2019 after a previous stint as a transitional leader, has faced growing opposition in recent weeks following protests demanding his resignation and fresh elections.
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