Changes

Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). This effectively put an end to the "autonomous provinces," although they nominally remain in place because they are included in the constitution. Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to decentralize administration. In September 2004, the government named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President, to implement its decentralization plans. Rumors about the dissolution of the autonomous provinces had been around for some time, and on April 4, 2007 a constitutional referendum was held, in which the majority of the voters backed a revised constitution without any provinces. The new regions will become the highest level of subdivision.

Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). This effectively put an end to the "autonomous provinces," although they nominally remain in place because they are included in the constitution. Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to decentralize administration. In September 2004, the government named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President, to implement its decentralization plans. Rumors about the dissolution of the autonomous provinces had been around for some time, and on April 4, 2007 a constitutional referendum was held, in which the majority of the voters backed a revised constitution without any provinces. The new regions will become the highest level of subdivision.

Another political crisis, which began in January 2009, involved a series of anti-government demonstrations which ended with the military - which had remained neutral previously - becoming involved and the government of President Marc Ravalomanana was overthrown. He was replaced by Andry Rajoelina, a former DJ and incumbent mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. Rajoeline was an opponent of Ravalomanana and had instigated the unrest.

Another political crisis, which began in January 2009, involved a series of anti-government demonstrations which ended with the military - which had remained neutral previously - becoming involved and the government of President Marc Ravalomanana was overthrown. He was replaced by Andry Rajoelina, a former DJ and incumbent mayor of the capital, Antananarivo. Rajoeline was an opponent of Ravalomanana and had instigated the unrest. However, the take-over is not going unimposed, with [[Norway]] imposing sanctions, the [[United States]] suspending all non-humanitarian assistance to Madagascar and even the normally toothless [[African Union]] threatening to impose sanctions, including expulsion from the Union if an "unconstitutional" transfer of power were to take place."

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===