<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 26 June 1960 (from France)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 19 August 1992 by national referendum
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993); election last held on 10 February 1993 (next to be held 1998); results—Albert ZAFY (UNDD), 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33%
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister
<item><hi format=bold>Senate:</hi> (Senat) two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled by an electoral college made up of representatives of territorial collectivities; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment, following nomination by economic, social, and cultural groups; the selection of senators was scheduled for March 1994
<item><hi format=bold>National Assembly:</hi> (Assemblee Nationale) elections last held on 16 June 1993 (next to be held 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
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<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 and early 1993 in preparation for new legislative elections. In its place, an interim High Authority of State and a Social and Economic Recovery Council have been established
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> 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 Party for Madagascar Independence—Renewal (AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other anti-Ratsiraka oppositon parties, trade unions, and religious groups; leader Dr. Albert ZAFY; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar (PMDM/MFM; formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power), Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys (Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement