Editing History of Madagascar (section)

===Third Republic (1991–2002)===
The first multi-party elections came in 1993, with [[Albert Zafy]] defeating Ratsiraka.<ref name="Madagascar History" /> Despite being a strong proponent of a liberal, free-market economy, Zafy ran on a ticket critical of the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) and the [[World Bank]]. During his presidency the country struggled to implement IMF and World Bank guidelines that were, on the short term, suicidal politically.<ref name="Structural Adjustment in MADAGASCAR">{{cite web|title=Structural Adjustment in MADAGASCAR|url=http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/loc/33-structural_adjustment.html|publisher=Wildmadagascar.org|access-date=August 6, 2012}}</ref>

As president Zafy was frustrated by the restraints placed upon the powers of his office by the new constitution. His quest for increased executive power put him on a collision course with the parliament led by then prime minister [[Francisque Ravony]].<ref name=ISS>Richard R. Marcus, [http://www.iss.org.za/pubs/papers/89/Paper89.htm "Political change in Madagascar: populist democracy or neopatrimonialism by another name?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205204247/http://www.iss.org.za/pubs/papers/89/Paper89.htm |date=February 5, 2012 }}, Institute for Security Studies, Occasional Paper 89, August 2004.</ref> Zafy eventually won the power he sought after but suffered [[impeachment]] at the hands of the disenfranchised parliament in 1996 for violating the constitution by refusing to promulgate specific laws.<ref>{{cite web|title=Décision n°17-HCC/D3(Empêchement)(French)|url=http://www.hcc.gov.mg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=49|publisher=High Constitutional Court of Madagascar|access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref>

The ensuing elections saw a turnout of less than 50% and unexpectedly resulted in the re-election of Didier Ratsiraka.<ref name="Madagascar timeline" />
He moved further towards capitalism. The influence of the IMF and the World Bank led to widespread [[privatisation]].

Opposition to Ratsiraka began to grow again. Opposition parties boycotted provincial elections in 2000, and the [[Malagasy presidential election, 2001|2001 presidential election]] produced more controversy. The opposition candidate [[Marc Ravalomanana]] claimed victory after the first round (in December) but the incumbent rejected this position. In early 2002 supporters of the two sides took to the streets and violent clashes took place. Ravalomanana claimed that fraud had occurred in the polls. After an April recount the High Constitutional Court declared Ravalomanana president. Ratsiraka continued to dispute the result but his opponent gained international recognition, and Ratsiraka had to go into exile in France, though forces loyal to him continued activities in Madagascar.<ref name="Madagascar History" />