The list of no fewer that 36 candidates include three rulers of the Indian Ocean Island.

ends intro 

Heri Rajoanarimampianina, who’s been in power since 2014 is seeking re-election on November 7.

He’ll be rivaled by Marc Ravalomanana, elected in 2002 and overthrown in a coup seven years later…

… and Andry Rajoelina, who led that putsch and stayed at the helm for four years.

They were not allowed to contest the 2013 poll, sparking violent protests earlier this year.

Rajoanarimampianina was obliged to form a consensus government to organise next month’s election.

Madagascar desperately needs a sustained period of stability to overcome the economic damage done by the years of political turmoil.

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Parliament’s vote last night to sack the president moves to the courts.

But that process will be affected by his failure to establish a high court after nearly two-and-a-half years in office.

Parliament in Antananarivo is not empowered to impeach President Heri Rajoanarimampianina, despite the overwhelming vote of 121 of the 151 MPs to throw him out.

The matter now moves to the Constitutional Court which is stacked with presidential supporters.

The president has a flimsy support base in parliament.

Clearly he’s underestimated the level of discontent in the legislature.

MPs say Rajoanarimampianina’s shown a lack of respect for the institution.

He refuses to rule out dissolving parliament which he has the power to do under the constitution.

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