The president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the French National Assembly is back in Madagascar. Bruno Fuchs arrived Sunday evening and is scheduled to meet with various stakeholders in the country. On his agenda are meetings with authorities, representatives from the youth and private sectors. He is also expected to visit projects funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).
This is the second visit by the French parliamentarian to Madagascar since the military takeover in October 2025. Deputy Fuchs was the first Western and European elected official to visit the island. He had met with Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, head of state, in early November 2025. That first visit, relatively discreet, was primarily political and diplomatic in nature.
"Although little known to the public, Bruno Fuchs has a truly substantial international network of influence. His visit to Madagascar and his observations on the situation in the country could indeed be decisive in consolidating international recognition of the new government," a source close to Christine Razanamahasoa, then Foreign Minister, stated in November. "Deputy Fuchs is a behind-the-scenes figure in French diplomacy," the source added.
A Political Signal?
Deputy Fuchs's approach in November aimed to maintain relations between Paris and Antananarivo. Days later, on November 29, Colonel Randrianirina and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, spoke by telephone. In an interview on TV5 Monde after his Madagascar trip, the parliamentarian stated that "the commitment of the international community, of France, is to try to assess the sincerity with which he will conduct his refoundation."
Also on TV5 Monde, the president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the French lower house declared: "I am convinced he will do everything to restore power after twenty-four months. That is why we must support him. If we don't, others will." This return of Bruno Fuchs to Madagascar could thus take on particular significance. Beyond cooperation and development issues, his presence constitutes a new political signal from Paris.
Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson