Complete List Of Madagascar Presidents From 1959 Till Date

Complete List Of Madagascar Presidents From 1959 Till Date

This is the most comprehensive list of Madagascar presidents from 1959 till present. Madagascar has had seven official presidents since the office was created in 1959.

The first president was Philibert Tsiranana, who served from 1960 to 1972. Several leaders followed him, including Didier Ratsiraka, who served two long terms, and Marc Ravalomanana.

The current president is Andry Rajoelina, who took office on December 16, 2023. Madagascar’s political history includes periods of instability and military rule, leading to multiple changes in leadership over the years.

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Complete List Of Madagascar Presidents Since 1959 Till Date

No
Name
Tenure
Political Party
1
Didier Ratsiraka
1975 - 1993; 1997 - 2002
Military/AREMA
2
Philibert Tsiranana
1960 - 1972
PSD
3
Andry Rajoelina
2009 - 2014; 2019 - Present
TGV
4
Marc Ravalomanana
2002 - 2009
TIM
5
Hery Rajaonarimampianina
2014 - 2018
HVM
6
Albert Zafy
1993 - 1996
UNDD
7
Gabriel Ramanantsoa
1972 - 1975
Military

Who Was The First President Of Madagascar?

Philibert Tsiranana

Philibert Tsiranana, born on October 18, 1912, in Ambarikorano, Madagascar, was the first president of Madagascar. He served as president from 1959 to 1972 and was instrumental in the country’s early years after gaining independence.

Tsiranana was a teacher and was actively involved in politics even before he became president. He was elected to a provincial council in 1952 and later became a member of the French National Assembly in 1956.

That same year, he started the Madagascar Social Democratic Party (PSD), which promoted Christian socialism and became a major political force.

In August 1958, Tsiranana became the president of the Executive Council, helping Madagascar move closer to independence from French rule.

On June 26, 1960, Madagascar officially gained independence, and Tsiranana was elected the first president under the new constitution. His leadership brought a period of stability to the country, which was rare for many African nations at the time.

During his presidency, Madagascar experienced moderate economic growth, and the country became known as “the Happy Island.” Despite this, Tsiranana’s government faced some serious problems.

Many students and farmers were unhappy with the government’s policies, especially taxes and the lack of educational reforms.

As protests grew, his government became more authoritarian to maintain control. By 1972, the unrest reached its peak, and Tsiranana was forced to step down. He handed over power to General Gabriel Ramanantsoa, ending his presidency.

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Who Is The Current President Of Madagascar?

Andry Nirina Rajoelina

The current president of Madagascar is Andry Nirina Rajoelina. He was born on May 30, 1975, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and has been a prominent figure in the country’s political scene for years.

Rajoelina was sworn in for his third term as president on December 16, 2023. He has been both admired and criticized throughout his political career.

Rajoelina had an unusual path to politics, starting as a DJ and later serving as the mayor of Antananarivo. His early career in media and event management helped him build connections and gain influence.

Rajoelina first rose to national prominence in 2009 when he led a military-backed coup that removed President Marc Ravalomanana from office.

After the coup, he headed a transitional government until 2014, facing international criticism and political challenges.

In 2018, Rajoelina returned to power after winning a presidential election, defeating his rival Ravalomanana in a runoff.

His presidency has focused on developing infrastructure and boosting the economy. However, his decisions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have sparked debate.

He promoted a herbal remedy as a cure for the virus, which many experts questioned. In the most recent election held in November 2023, Rajoelina won nearly 59% of the vote.

This victory came amidst claims from opposition candidates that the election was unfair, and voter turnout was notably low at 46%. Regardless of this, Rajoelina insisted that the results showed people’s desire for stability and continuity.

Throughout his leadership, he has striving improving roads, transportation, and agriculture, although some critics remain skeptical of his policies.

Rajoelina is married to Mialy Rajoelina and has children. His dual citizenship with France has also been a topic of controversy among his opponents.

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