A new parliamentary entity is taking shape at the National Assembly. Nearly eighty deputies are joining forces to influence the political dialogue initiated by the head of state and, above all, to prevent the dissolution of their institution. The VFM deputies held a closed-door meeting in the Assembly's chamber yesterday.

Avoiding dissolution is the main objective behind the maneuvers unfolding at the National Assembly since the beginning of the week. The upheaval began Monday night with the announcement of a new political entity called "Vovonan'ny fihavaozan'i Madagasikara" (VFM). According to a statement read by deputy Fanomezantsoa Andrianjanahary, vice-president of the lower chamber for Fianarantsoa province, eighty deputies comprise this new political entity. It is presented as a platform that, beyond deputies, would bring together local elected officials and former representatives. Ostensibly, the "political platform" formula primarily serves to prevent most VFM members from losing their parliamentary seats.

The Constitution indeed prohibits deputies from changing parties or party groups other than the one under which they were elected. In addition to deputies elected as independents, deputies elected under the colors of "Isika rehetra miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina" (Irmar) make up the VFM. In Monday's statement, the new political platform pledged allegiance to the Refoundation government. But the idea is mainly to form a political bloc to carry weight during political dialogue.

The VFM deputies held a closed-door meeting in the Assembly's chamber at Tsimbazaza yesterday. As indicated by Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, president of the National Assembly, who led the meeting, the gathering aimed notably to report on his meeting with the head of state last week. Deputy Andrianjanahary confirms that political dialogue was one of the main subjects discussed during this closed-door meeting.

Michaël Randrianirina, head of state, has been conducting a series of consultations with political actors and entities to organize political dialogue. A process parallel to national consultation, according to his explanations. The goal is to establish a calm political climate conducive to holding elections accepted by all. The lower chamber's president was thus received by the senior officer last week at the State Palace of Ambohitsorohitra.

Disavowal

Seeing so many deputies present at Tsimbazaza and, especially, meeting behind closed doors outside a parliamentary session is rare. Details that indicate these elected officials believe the situation is urgent. Behind the scenes, some confide that "we all here are questioning the future of the National Assembly," and "all agree that we must be full actors in the national dialogue and not just suffer its consequences."

For VFM members, the immediate challenge is to give themselves collective representation so as not to be left out of the political dialogue process. "Most of us are independent deputies. The others left Irmar's ranks to support the current government. Individually and without structure, we would have no weight," acknowledges one of the deputies concerned.

The common refrain, for now, is therefore to defend the survival of the lower chamber. Gen Z is indeed adamant in its demand for the dissolution of this institution. A demand reinforced by the resolution of the national youth consultation at the end of July. The dissolution of the Tsimbazaza institution was one of the points that achieved unanimous agreement among participants.

"We demand the dissolution of the National Assembly and its replacement by a Constituent Assembly," is written in point 2 of the youth consultation resolution. In his closing speech at this event, Colonel Randrianirina indicated that apart from point 1 of this resolution concerning the form of state, which he leaves to the population to decide by vote, the Refoundation government "shares" the youth's view on the remaining points of this resolution.

For parliamentarians grouped within the new platform, the fear is thus seeing political dialogue go beyond the simple framework of seeking appeasement to result in institutional restructuring. In this scenario, the National Assembly could be dissolved and replaced, on a transitional basis, by a parliamentary institution composed on the basis of seat-sharing among different political forces. A scenario like during the 2009-2013 Transition apparently fuels their concerns.