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External event

Informal meeting

Madagascar: An overview of current crisis factors in the run-up to the 2018 presidential elections

Although the democratic election of a new government in 2014 ended five years of political crisis in Madagascar, the situation in the country remains fragile and volatile with potential for increased tensions and possibly even a new crisis in the run-up to presidential elections in 2018. Poverty is widespread and the country’s overall economic and social situation has not improved since the end of the 2009-2013 crisis. Overall, discontent with the government’s performance is increasing, and opposition parties, civil society and media actors are increasingly airing their frustrations openly. Moreover, there are indications that the government is reducing the democratic space; several controversial laws have been passed in recent months, including the new ‘Communications Code’ and a law to fight economic crimes.