Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-03-27 02:50:00
A request for the dismissal of Christine Razanamahasoa, President of the National Assembly, has been submitted to the High Constitutional Court (HCC). This procedure aims to remove the elected representative of Ambatofinandrahana from her status as a deputy.
The act has been carried out. A request for the removal of Christine Razanamahasoa, President of the National Assembly, is listed among the pending cases on the High Constitutional Court (HCC) website.
“Request from the parliamentary group IRD [Isika rehetra miaraka amin’i Andry Rajoelina] chaired by Paul Bert Velontsara, for the dismissal of Christine Razanamahasoa,” one can read on the website of the Ambohidahy Court. Although it is not specified, the purpose is to remove Christine Razanamahasoa from her position as a deputy. This will consequently lead to her removal from her seat as President of the Lower House.
If successful, the boss of the Tsimbazaza institution will also be stripped of her parliamentary prerogatives and immunities, as well as those as the head of the institution. According to explanations, the request was filed on Monday. Initially, the approach to the Ambohidahy Court was taken following statements to the press by members of the Presidential Coalition. Media statements were made to heavily criticize the boss of the Lower Chamber.
The Oranges then translated into action the intentions expressed to journalists. Article 72 of the Constitution and Article 37 of the internal rules of the National Assembly govern the procedure for removing a deputy. Based on the statements made on Monday, the request listed among the pending cases at the HCC is based on one or the other of these two provisions. Facing the press, the Oranges denounced a lack of discipline on the part of the lady in the speaker’s chair towards the party’s discipline and that of the parliamentary group IRD.
These media statements were in reaction to the speech of the President of the National Assembly during an event organized at Tsimbazaza on Saturday. In an allusive manner, she criticized the holders of power, especially the President of the Republic. The head of the Tsimbazaza Institution went as far as hinting at “a call to sedition.”
Stepping up to defend the boss of the Lower House yesterday, Maharavo Ratolojanahary, her chief of staff, argued that a request for dismissal should not be necessary. Apparently unaware of the case pending at the HCC, he cited as a defense element the fact that the “Tanora malagasy vonona” (TGV) party removed Christine Razanamahasoa from its ranks on November 10, 2023.
“They cite Article 72 of the Constitution to attack the President of the National Assembly. However, it states that the deputy who, on his own initiative, changes political groups on whose behalf he was elected, resulting in dismissal for joining another one. This is not the case for Madame Razanamahasoa,” Maharavo Ratolojanahary argued. However, he only referred to the first two paragraphs of this constitutional provision.
Paragraph 4 of Article 72 of the Basic Law adds that “the removal of a deputy can also be decided by the High Constitutional Court if he deviates from the line of conduct of his parliamentary group.” Moreover, considering the wording of the request, it is likely that it is based on Article 37 of the internal rules of the Lower House. This would explain why the name of the president of the IRD parliamentary group is explicitly indicated.
“The dismissal of a deputy can also be decided by the High Constitutional Court if he deviates from the line of conduct without valid and legitimate reasons of his parliamentary group at the request of the group’s president,” provides paragraph 2 of Article 37 of the internal rules of the National Assembly. Based on the list displayed on the website of the Tsimbazaza institution, even though she was ousted from the TGV party, Christine Razanamahasoa is still a member of the IRD parliamentary group.
Senator Herimanana Razafimahefa, former President of the Senate, is also targeted by a request for dismissal filed with the High Constitutional Court. A request filed on Monday as well, like the one against Christine Razanamahasoa, President of the National Assembly. Here too, the former head of the Upper Chamber risks losing his position as senator.
This request for dismissal is likely a reaction to the actions of Herimanana Razafimahefa during the pre-electoral political unrest. After declining the role of interim head of state in favor of the collegial government, the former President of the Senate rebelled. He claimed to have made this decision under duress. He then aligned himself with the opposition in his intention to circumvent the holding of the presidential election.
[Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson]
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
