DD), 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33%
head of government: Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August
1993)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from
popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is to be
filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and formation of
regional assemblies is not expected before 1997
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held on 16
June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11,
Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional
Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)

Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an
alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD),
Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM),
Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar (GRAD),
Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal
(AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and
religious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar
(PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy
RAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD),
Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys (Famima); Rally
for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA

Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian
Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement

Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis P. BARRETT
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18
FAX: [261] (2) 345-39

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of