alava), French, Indian,
Creole, Comoran

Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 80%
male: 88%
female: 73%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form: Madagascar
local long form: Republique de Madagascar
local short form: Madagascar
former: Malagasy Republic

Data code: MA

Type of government: republic

Capital: Antananarivo

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo,
Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary

Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum

Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional
Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) was
elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 10
February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Albert ZAFY
(UNDD) 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%
head of government: Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30
October 1995) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled
from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is
to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and
formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 16 June
1993 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD
11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional
Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)

Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV),
an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD),
Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM),
Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar
(GRAD), Congress Part