The debate opposing a decentralized unitary state to a federal model sparked controversy during the National Youth Consultation. In his closing speech at the event on Saturday, the head of state left it to the people to decide through a vote.

A sensitive issue. Based on how the National Youth Consultation unfolded, ending Saturday, the question of the state's form under the Fifth Republic could be one of the most delicate points in the refoundation process. In response to the turmoil caused by this subject, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, head of state, emphasized that the final decision would rest with the population through a vote.

"(...) The first point you raised concerns politics. We will submit it to national consultation, then to the choice of the Malagasy people, who will decide, when the time comes, on the form of state to adopt in the new Republic toward which we are heading," said the occupant of Iavoloha on Saturday at the International Conference Center in Ivato, in his closing speech of the National Youth Consultation.

For four days, representatives of youth from the twenty-four regions of the country met at the ICC in Ivato last week. Following the debates, participants agreed on a resolution containing several points, presented as "recommendations." This resolution covers several areas such as economy, education, health, and sports. However, as the senior officer noted, all these points were overshadowed by the opening sections, which are political in nature, particularly those on the form of state.

"[We] propose choosing between two forms of state: a strongly decentralized unitary state with a tricameral parliamentary system or a federal state guaranteeing a balanced distribution of power between the federal state and federated provinces, through a national debate leading to a constitutional election. A technical committee will be formed to establish draft texts," states the resolution from the ICC debates.

Before reaching this consensus, the question of the appropriate state form for the Fifth Republic crystallized tensions. During debates, this question was put to participants' choice. Results were balanced, which displeased those favoring a shift to a federal state.

Beyond multiple declarations from participant groups at the National Youth Consultation, supporters of "federalism," political actors, and self-proclaimed opinion leaders joined the debate, attempting to influence both consultation participants and public opinion through a stream of Facebook posts. From there, the controversy took a dangerous turn, exacerbating prejudices and divisions.

Some legal experts try to refocus the debate on substantive questions by explaining the definition and stakes of different state forms. However, nothing works: explanations and informed opinions are drowned out by a barrage of criticism about how the "vote" was conducted and its outcome during the national consultation.

According to leaks, political currents allegedly sought behind the scenes to use this platform to promote the idea of a federal state. The objective would have been to establish the federal state as a dominant aspiration of youth. Apparently, the debate outcome did not satisfy its supporters. Controversy indeed erupted after announcing a balanced vote result on state form. Substantively, many believe federalism could promote balanced and equitable development across the territory.

However, most arguments raised at the ICC and on social media consisted of crystallizing divisions dangerous to national unity. Questions about ensuring the state form adopted for the Fifth Republic brings the desired balanced and equitable development were, for example, overlooked. To some extent, some also fueled this controversy to divert attention from a point on which youth are unanimous: the dissolution of the National Assembly.

Probably realizing that several substantive questions were passed over in silence, the drafters of the National Youth Consultation resolution emphasized that drafting constitutional projects to be submitted to a popular vote would be entrusted to a technical committee. Indeed, most ICC debate participants seemed to forget this was a consultation aimed at gathering reform proposals desired by youth.