# Ravalomanana Wins a Second Term (3 December 2006)

URL: https://allhistories.com/madagascar/timeline/2006-ravalomanana-wins-a-second-term
Location: Madagascar (nationwide)
Themes: main-event

Marc Ravalomanana won re-election on 3 December 2006, taking a large majority, over 54 percent, in the first round of the presidential poll, against a fragmented field including Jean Lahiniriko and Herizo Razafimahaleo. Monitors considered the poll broadly acceptable, though the opposition complained about the use of state resources, and a rival candidate unsuccessfully challenged the result. The opposition candidates alleged that the state media had favoured the president. His first term had brought economic growth, road and school building, and a reputation as a modernising manager, supported by donors and by the Madagascar Action Plan launched in 2006. Critics accused him of mixing business and politics through his Tiko empire, and of authoritarian tendencies towards the press. In April 2007 a referendum extended presidential powers and abolished the provinces. At the date of this event the principal authority over the largest part of present-day Madagascar, by the convention of this dataset, lay with Marc Ravalomanana, President of Madagascar (2002–2009). The government was headed by Prime Minister Jacques Sylla. The second term began with confidence but ended in the 2009 uprising. It illustrates how an electoral success and economic growth could hide public frustration over inequality, corruption and growing control of the media. The experience shaped the grievances that were later exploited by Rajoelina during the early months of 2009.

## Why it matters
His re-election set the stage for the political backlash that led to his ouster in 2009.

Ruler at the Time: [Marc Ravalomanana](https://allhistories.com/madagascar/rulers/marc-ravalomanana)

Prime Minister: Jacques Sylla

## Sources
- [2006 Malagasy presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Malagasy_presidential_election)
- [Marc Ravalomanana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Ravalomanana)
- [History of Madagascar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Madagascar)