Madagascar’s electoral court has declared former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina as the new president of the African nation.
The electoral court said Rajaonarimampianina won 53.5 percent of the vote to his close rival Jean Louis Robinson’s 46.5 percent.
The presidential election was the first since a coup in 2009.
Mr. Rajaonarimampianina was backed by outgoing president Andry Rajoelina, who headed the coup nearly five years ago.
Just over half of the 7 million registered voters cast a ballot in the second round.
The African nation also voted in a legislative poll on 20 December, 2013.
US Hails Madagascar For Successful Election
In a press statement in Washington DC, Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki welcomed the announcement of the final results of Madagascar’s presidential election.
“We commend the Malagasy electoral authorities for organizing a poll that reflects the will of the Malagasy people and are grateful to the United Nations for its support to the electoral process.” – Ms. Psaki
Ms. Psaki highlighted that the election of a new president represents an opportunity for Madagascar to make progress on strengthening democratic institutions, improving respect for human rights, combating corruption, and rebuilding its economy.
She stressed that the United States is looking forward to working productively with President-elect Rajaonarimampianina as Madagascar implements the roadmap for the restoration of democracy developed by the Southern African Development Community in 2011.
“We look to the president-elect to form a new government whose members have the full confidence of the Malagasy public and the international community.” – Ms. Psaki
A Glimpse Of The Life Of The New President
Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina was born on November 6, 1958 to a simple family in Madagascar.
In 1982, Mr. Rajaonarimampianina earned MBA at the “Etablissement d’Enseignement Superieur de Droit, d’Economie, de Gestion et de Sciences Sociales (EESDEGS) – Universite d’Ankatso Antananarivo in Canada.
In 1991, Mr. Rajaonarimampianina went back to Madagascar and worked as accountant.
In 2009, Rajaonarimampianina became Minister of Finance and Budget. The new president he has been CEO of Air Madagascar since 2011.
