Didier Ratsiraka

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Admiral Didier Ratsiraka (born November 4, 1936) was the President of Madagascar from 1975 until 1993 and from 1997 until 2002. Ratsiraka served as foreign minister under Gabriel Ramanantsoa from 1972 until 1975. Ratsiraka, known as the "Red Admiral", came to power in a military coup and in 1976 he began to set up a socialist government, founding the political party Vangard of the Malagasy Revolution (FNDR). In 1989 he changed his party's name to the Arema (Andry sy Riana Enti-Manavotra an'i Madagasikara) (Pillar and Structure for the Salvation of Madagascar). Facing increasing opposition in 1991, Ratsiraka signed the Panorama Convention on October 31 of that year, establishing a transitional government and stripping him of most of his powers.^[1] He ran in the multiparty presidential election of November 1992, coming in second behind opposition leader Albert Zafy; in the second round, held in February 1993, Ratsiraka lost to Zafy, taking about one-third of the vote,^[2] and left office on March 27.^[1] Zafy was impeached in 1996, and Ratsiraka achieved a political comeback in late 1996 when he won presidential elections, running as the candidate of the AREMA party. He came in first place in the first round with 36% of the vote, ahead of his three main opponents: Zafy, Herizo Razafimahaleo, and Prime Minister/Acting President Norbert Ratsirahonana.^[1]^[2] He narrowly defeated Zafy in the runoff with 50.7% of the vote^[2] and took office again on February 9, 1997.

On March 15, 1998, a constitutional referendum was held and approved by a narrow majority of voters; this resulted in a major increase in the president's powers.^[1]^[2] By 2001, however, Ratsiraka had become widely unpopular again.^{[citation needed]} He came in second place in the presidential election held in December of that year; according to the government, Marc Ravalomanana took 46% while Ratsiraka took 40%. A runoff was to take place, but due to disputes over the election it was never held. Ravalomanana claimed to have actually won over 50% of the vote, and therefore to have won in the first round. Ravalomanana was sworn in on February 22, 2002, and the two governments fought for control of the country. By the end of February 2002, Ravalomanana had control over the capital, which had always been his base, but Ratsiraka maintained control over most of the provinces and established himself at Toamasina, his primary support base. However, within a few months Ravalomanana had gained the upper hand in a struggle. In mid-June Ratsiraka went to France, leading many to believe he had fled into exile and lowering the morale of his supporters, although Ratsiraka said he would return.^[3]^[4] He did return to Madagascar after more than a week,^[5] but his position was continuing to weaken militarily.^[3] On July 5, Ratsiraka fled Toamasina, taking a flight to the nearby Seychelles.^[6] Two days later he arrived in France.^[7]

Didier Ratsiraka's nephew, Roland Ratsiraka, is also a politician. He became the mayor of Toamasina and ran unsuccessfully in the 2006 presidential election, coming in third place.