Andry Nirina Rajoelina (born 1974) is a Malagasy politician. He is the current President of the High Transitional Authority of Madagascar (head of state), having been installed in that position by the military in March 2009 at the end of a political crisis. He was the Mayor of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, from December 2007 to February 2009; while serving as Mayor, he strongly opposed President Marc Ravalomanana, ultimately leading protests that, together with military intervention, forced Ravalomanana's resignation.
From 1994 to 2000 Andry Rajoelina worked as an organiser of live shows and events. He is also a former professional disc jockey, and owns the television and radio station VIVA.
As the head of the movement TGV - Tanora malaGasy Vonona (Determined Malagasy Youth), Andry Rajoelina decided to run for Mayor of Antananarivo, the national capital. He faced Hery Rafalimanana, presidential candidate and previous mayor of the city. He did so under the status of President of Special Delegation (PDS), appointed directly by President Marc Ravalomanana. Rajoelina was elected mayor on 12 December 2007 with 63.3% of the vote. He inherited a city heavily endebted.
On 4 January 2008, shortly after his election, the state-run company Jirama cut off water and electricity to the city, citing bad debts as the reason.
On 13 December 2008, the Government decided to close Viva TV owned by Andry Rajoelina. The decision followed the broadcast of an interview with the former head of state Didier Ratsiraka on Saturday 13 December 2008, which was "likely to disturb the peace and security". The programme by Viva TV, was also broadcast by other television channels in their news bulletins of 13 December 2008. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the 17 December 2008 closure of Viva TV and the government closure of other television and radio stations.
On 31 January 2009, Rajoelina announced that he was in charge of the entire Malagasy Republic, declaring at a rally, "Since the president and the government has not taken his responsibility, I therefore proclaim that I will run all national affairs as of today." He added that a request for President Ravalomanana to formally resign would shortly be filed with the Parliament of Madagascar. On 3 February, Rajoelina was dismissed as Mayor and a special delegation, headed by Guy Randrianarisoa, was appointed. Rajoelina denounced the decision, saying that there was "no valid reason" and that he was prepared to face arrest if necessary; he warned that the city would not accept the decision.
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Rajoelina held another rally on 4 February, with about 1,500 people in attendance. On that occasion he described the appointment of Randrianarisoa as "an insult to the people of Madagascar"; he instead designated Michele Ratsivalaka to succeed him as mayor and gave her his mayoral scarf. By early February the political protests had turned increasingly aggressive and both rivals at the centre of the political storm continued to blame each other for the violence that had left some 130 people dead. On Saturday 7 February heavily armed security forces opened fire on anti-government demonstrators marching on the presidential palace.
Rajoelina was effectively handed the presidency on March 18, 2009, when the military handed over the executive power that was given to it by Ravalomanana upon his supposed resignation. Rajoelina, as head of the High Transitional Authority which he had created weeks before Ravalomanana's resignation, is expected to serve as head of state until the scheduled 2011 elections. He is also the youngest president in the country's history at 34 years of age. The current constitution requires presidential candidates to be a minimum of 40 years of age. Rajoelina has announced that, within 24 months, there will be a new constitution and elections.
On March 15, two days before Ravalomanana's resignation, Rajoelina announced after Sunday service at the main Antananarivo Roman Catholic cathedral that he would not mix religion with politics. After taking office, Rajoelina announced the cancellation of a land deal with Daewoo; he also announced the dissolution of parliament on March 19.
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