What type of government rules do Madagascar have?

The government of Madagascar is a semi-presidential republic, wherein the President of Madagascar is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The political system is characterized by a multi-party system. The constitution of Madagascar was adopted in 2010. The constitutional amendment of 2018 strengthened the powers of the president, including their ability to dissolve the National Assembly (lower house of parliament).

Here are the main features of the government and political system of Madagascar:

1. Executive:

- The President is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term and is eligible for a maximum of two terms.

- The President appoints the Prime Minister and other members of the government.

2. Legislature:

- Madagascar's parliament comprises two chambers: the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house).

- The National Assembly is composed of 151 members elected by proportional representation for a five-year term.

- The Senate has 33 members, of which 22 are elected by regional councils and municipal electors, while 11 are appointed by the president.

3. Judiciary:

- The judiciary system is independent and consists of three levels of courts: the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeal, and the Courts of First Instance.

4. Political Parties:

- Madagascar has a multi-party political system, with numerous political parties participating in elections.

- Some prominent parties include the TIM (Tiako I Madagasikara), HVM (Hery Vaovao ho an'i Madagasikara), and the MMM (Malagasy Miara-Miainga).

5. Local Government:

- Madagascar is divided into 22 regions, which are further divided into districts and communes.

- Each region has an elected regional council and executive, while communes are run by elected municipal councils and mayors.

6. Constitutional Court:

- The Constitutional Court ensures the proper interpretation and application of the constitution.

- It has jurisdiction over electoral disputes, constitutional amendments, and the settlement of disputes between state institutions.

7. Independent Institutions:

- Madagascar has several independent institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the Ombudsman's Office.

- These institutions are responsible for promoting transparency and accountability in the electoral process and investigating complaints against public officials, respectively.

Overall, Madagascar's government is based on the principle of separation of powers, with checks and balances between the executive, legislature, and judiciary. However, the political landscape in Madagascar has faced challenges, including periodic political crises and disputes related to elections and constitutional interpretation.