The new government team is well and truly out. Well-known faces who supported the president during the campaign period, to the great surprise of public opinion, do not appear in the government’s profile.
Reactions on the composition of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay’s new government continue to flood social networks but also the political debate in general. If the reappointment of some and the appointment of other members of the government team have generated so much comment, the absence of those who were announced as favorites to occupy any ministerial portfolio is the subject of great incomprehension. Personalities with heavy political pasts who lent a helping hand to President Andry Rajoelina during the presidential campaign are indeed among those largely forgotten in last Sunday’s nominations.
Without wallet. Indeed, the former Minister of National Education, Paul Rabary, was announced as the first big loser. Indicated as being the ideal person to take over his former department, between 2014 and 2018, the sociologist was no match for Minister Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, at the head of the MEN since August 21, 2020 and who left on the eve of the opening of the campaign in order to devote itself to the re-election of Andry Rajoelina. Paul Rabary, contrary to rumors which circulated during the week preceding the day of the announcement of the new members of the government, was also not appointed to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research now occupied by Andriamanantena Razafiharison , although he is part, with his Ny Fireneko party, of the UPAR platform which supported Andry Rajoelina. After Paul Rabary, Ny Hasina Andriamanjato is also one of the forgotten ones. Despite his unwavering support for the head of state during the difficult times of the pre-electoral period, he also remains without portfolio.
Two ministers. The absence of the two former leaders of the former province of Fianarantsoa, including Pety Rakotoniaina and Rina Andriamandavy VII, in this new government team has also provoked a strong reaction which is not always in their favor. Even if public opinion has not always been kind to them, they made their contribution to the re-election of Andry Rajoelina after leaving their former political families. In any case, the province of Fianarantsoa had two ministers in the person of Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, at the head of the Minister of National Education and Haingo Elisette Fomendraza, former mayor of the city of Ambositra and governor of the Amoron’i Mania region.
State Secretariat. The Jean de Dieu Maharante case is a special case. After years of exile, Bevata returned to the country despite his political and legal past. He was reportedly recalled to face a Bohozatse, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who gained popularity in the southern part of the island. Like the other names already mentioned, he does not appear in the list of those who were appointed to compose the new government. In any case, Paul Rabary, Ny Hasina Andriamanjato, Pety Rakotoniaina, Rina Andriamandavy VII and Jean de Dieu Maharante can still hope because there are still Secretaries of State to be appointed. With the legislative and municipal elections approaching, they will also be able to use this situation in their favor. Regardless, this situation threatens solidarity within the team that supported President Andry Rajoelina.
Julien R.