Madagascar elects next president – news.ORF.at

After a long period of political instability, voters of the African island state of Madagascar today elect a president. More than 30 candidates are competing with outgoing President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. The best chances are given to the predecessors of Rajaonarimampianina, Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, who seek to find the highest functions of the poor country.

In recent years, there have been political conflicts on the streets. In 2009, the army intervened and urged President Ravalomanana to resign. From the observers' point of view, it is hoped that the vote of ten million voters will peacefully defuse the rivalry between Rajaonarimampianina, Ravalomanana and Rajoelina.

The country is one of the poorest in the world. More than three quarters of people live in extreme poverty.