The political opposition in tatters and incapable of uniting to act. This weekend, Tahiana Razafinjoelina of the Tia Tanindrazana movement, candidate for the race for mayor of Antananarivo Renivohitra, engaged in an exercise of “unpacking” the opposition from which he comes. His remarks aim in particular to discredit the candidate of Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM), Tojo Ravalomanana and the family of the former president, Marc Ravalomanana, with whom he previously worked.
Described by TIM supporters as being in cahoots with the regime, or an opponent of the opposition, candidate Tahiana Razafinjoelina insisted during a televised intervention that it was Marc Ravalomanana who sold the opposition during the movements “whites” in the context of the last presidential election. The founder of the classified ads newspaper, “Vidy Varotra”, attacked Tojo Ravalomanana, without directly naming him in his televised intervention.
A few weeks earlier, it was the candidate Gascar Fenosoa, a former AZ Radio journalist of the TIM deputy Fidèle Razara Pierre who embarked on another exercise of denigrating the son of Marc Ravalomanana, considered one of the candidates favorites in these next elections in the capital.
A video broadcast by online presses this weekend reveals that Tahiana Razafinjoelina, Gascar Fenosoa and candidate Joseph Martin Randriamampionona alias Dadafara have concocted a plan to come together to support a single candidate to compete with Tojo Ravalomanana of TIM and Harilala Ramanantsoa, the regime’s candidate. The candidate Monja Roindefo, former Prime Minister of the transitional regime of Andry Rajoelina, would also have wanted to join the troika but the project ultimately fell through because each of the three candidates wanted to be at the head of the movement.
Supporters of the regime are taking advantage of the situation and do not hesitate to exploit false information to weaken the opposition. Currently, the electoral campaign in the capital is reduced to a question of low level, far from the desire to see the candidates propose ideas or proposals to advance and develop the capital of Madagascar.
What are the underlying social and economic factors contributing to the fragmentation within the Malagasy opposition, and how do these factors influence the political landscape?
## Divided Opposition: An Interview with Malagasy Political Analysts
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today we delve into the complex political landscape of Madagascar, focusing on the upcoming mayoral election in Antananarivo. Joining us are two esteemed analysts to dissect the current state of the opposition and the implications for the city’s future. We have Dr. Nomena Rakotomavo, a specialist in Malagasy political history, and Ms. Hery Rakotoarivelo, a political scientist focusing on elections and political mobilization. Welcome to both of you.
**Dr. Rakotomavo:** Thank you.
**Ms. Rakotoarivelo:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room. The article paints a picture of a fractured opposition, with accusations flying between different candidates. Dr. Rakotomavo, how significant is this internal division, and how does it impact the opposition’s chances of challenging the incumbent regime?
**Dr. Rakotomavo:** This division is indeed significant. It weakens the opposition’s ability to present a united front against the regime, which can capitalize on this disarray. This lack of cohesion can lead to vote-splitting, allowing the regime-backed candidate to emerge victorious even with a smaller share of the popular vote.
**Host:** Ms. Rakotoarivelo, the article highlights accusations leveled against Tojo Ravalomanana, son of former president Marc Ravalomanana. What are the political motivations behind these attacks, and who stands to gain from them?
**Ms. Rakotoarivelo:** There are multiple layers to these accusations. On one hand, they seem to be a tactic to discredit Tojo Ravalomanana and capitalize on existing resentments towards his father’s past political maneuvering. On the other hand, it appears to be a power grab by other candidates vying for the opposition’s mantle.
**Host:** The article mentions an attempted alliance between Tahiana Razafinjoelina, Gascar Fenosoa, and Joseph Martin Randriamampionona, ultimately fizzling out due to conflicting egos. Does this suggest a broader trend of individual ambition taking precedence over collective goals within the opposition?
**(Transition to a new section):**
**Host:** Moving beyond the fragmentation, let’s discuss the broader electoral process itself.
**Host:** Ms. Rakotoarivelo, the article criticizes the current campaign for its lack of focus on tangible proposals for the city’s development. How does this lack of substantive discussion impact the voters and the future of Antananarivo?
**Ms. Rakotoarivelo:** This focus on personal attacks and smear campaigns detracts from the vital issues facing the city. Antananarivo faces pressing challenges like urban infrastructure, poverty, and environmental degradation. Voters deserve to hear concrete proposals from candidates on how they plan to address these issues.
**Host:** Dr. Rakotomavo, what are the possible long-term consequences of this divisive political climate on the democratic process in Madagascar?
**Dr. Rakotomavo: ** This erosion of trust in political institutions and the prevalence of low-level campaigning threaten the foundations of a healthy democracy. When citizens lose faith in the system, they become disengaged, and apathy can become a breeding ground for instability and authoritarianism.
**(Transiton to concluding remarks):**
**Host:** This analysis paints a concerning picture of the current state of play in Antananarivo’s mayoral race.
**Host:** Dr. Rakotomavo and Ms. Rakotoarivelo, thank you for sharing your valuable insights and analysis.
**Dr. Rakotomavo & Ms. Rakotoarivelo:** It was our pleasure.
