Official name

Republic of Madagascar

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on the Napoleonic Code, the 1992 constitution and traditional local additions

National legislature

In October 2010 a bicameral transitional legislature was appointed as part of the political accord signed in August in Ivato; its lower house is a 256-member congress and its upper chamber a 90-member higher council; the major signatories to the accord, including the transitional authority, Haute autorité pour la transition (HAT), were each given the right to nominate members; a new, permanent parliament is due to be established under the new constitution approved by referendum in November

National elections

December 2006 (presidential), September 2007 (legislative); legislative and presidential polls have been repeatedly delayed and are unlikely to take place before late 2011; however, the major political parties are yet to agree on the modalities of the elections, so this timetable may well change

Head of state

Marc Ravalomanana was re-elected as president in December 2006 but was forced to resign in March 2009; the de facto head of state is Andry Rajoelina

National government

Following the ousting of Mr Ravalomanana in March 2009 the HAT was created, with the former mayor of Antananarivo, Mr Rajoelina, as its president; an agreement on the formation of a new transitional government was made in Maputo, Mozambique in August 2009 and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in November 2009; however, Mr Rajoelina subsequently reneged on his commitment to share power and has continued to appoint ministers of his own choosing; Mr Rajoelina reshuffled his cabinet in late May 2010

Main political parties

The former ruling party, Tiako-I-Madagasikara (TIM), which had 105 seats in the National Assembly, appears to be disintegrating after its leader, Mr Ravalomanana, was forced into exile; Mr Rajoelina's supporters have yet to develop into a national party; five other opposition parties- Tanora malaGasy vonona (TGV), the Union of Democratic Republicans for Change (UDR Fanovana), Fanjava Velogno, Leader-Fanilo and Liaraike-are of national importance and have given their support to the HAT

President of the HAT: Andry Nirina Rajoelina

Prime minister: Albert Camille Vital

Key ministers

Agriculture: Vyvato Rakotovao

Armed forces: André Rakotoarimasy

Economy & industry: Pierrot Rajaonarivelo

Education: Jean Jacques Rabenirina

Energy: Elysée Ratsiraka

Environment & forestry: Herilanto Raveloarison

Finance & budget: Hery Rajaonarimampianina

Foreign affairs: Yvette Sylla

Gendarmerie: Randrianazary

Health: Pascal Rajaonarison

Interior: Florent Rakotoarisoa

Justice: Christine Razanamahasoa

Mines & hydrocarbons: Mamy Ratovomalala

Telecommunications, post & new technology: Ny Hasina Andriamanjato

Trade: Rinarisoa Razafimandimby

Central Bank governor

Frédéric Rasamoely