Africa-Press. The National Assembly in Madagascar has approved a request to lift the parliamentary immunity of deputy Antoine Rajerison, a move that paves the way for legal actions against him over allegations of involvement in activities suspected of undermining the stability of the political system in the country.
The decision came in response to a request submitted by the Minister of Justice, Vanirisoa Ernaivo, on June 4, where she referred to what she described as the deputy’s “alleged participation” in movements and activities threatening the stability of the state. The request received the approval of the majority of National Assembly members.
For his part, Rajerison considered the decision to have political dimensions, asserting that he had been performing his parliamentary role normally. He stated that he had recently been subjected to a surprise tax audit, alongside smear campaigns targeting him on social media, before the Ministry of Justice submitted the request to lift his parliamentary immunity, allowing for his arrest and legal pursuit.
Rajerison is one of the prominent political figures who emerged during the uprising last October, which contributed to the ousting of former president Andry Rajoelina. He had also submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court in May demanding the removal of the head of state, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, accusing him of committing serious violations of the constitution, but the court rejected the request.
The deputy believes that the continuation of these events cannot be considered a coincidence, warning of a decline in public freedoms in the country. He stated that democracy faces a “real danger” in Madagascar, noting that freedom of expression is no longer adequately protected and that the independence of institutions has become threatened.
The decision to lift immunity comes amid escalating political and legal debates regarding the independence of oversight and judicial institutions, as the country witnessed legal actions targeting four judges from the Constitutional Court at the end of May, through requests to initiate criminal proceedings against them, raising concerns about the future balance of powers in the state.
