The decision came after months of talks by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina with stakeholders.

Following over two months of horse trading and suspense, Madagascar’s leader, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, on Friday, April 11, 2014 announced the appointment of Dr Christophe Roland Kolo Roger, 70, as the country’s next Prime Minister, Radio France Internationale, RFI reported. The President was inaugurated on January 25, 2014.

The nomination was backed by 93 of the 151 Members of Parliament, more than the number required. The approval did not however receive the support of MPs of Mapar, the party of the immediate past Transitional President, Andry Rajoelina. Kolo was selected from a group of 18 nominees proposed by 12 political parties.

President Rajaonarimampianina personally interviewed all the candidates who were asked to provide detailed CVs and explain how they will carry out his development agenda. “The choice complies with the Constitution, the national reconciliation spirit and is in the interest of all citizens,” President Rajaonarimampianina explained. The new cabinet to help move the country forward after the crisis of the past years, is expected this week.

A newcomer to Madagascar’s politics, Dr Christophe Roland Kolo Roger, is a medical doctor with specialization in radiology who lived abroad for almost 30 years before returning last year to run in the presidential poll. He was barred for not being resident in the country. After his disqualification, Kolo proposed Hery Rajaonarimampianina as his replacement. His father was parliamentarian/mayor while his younger brother was a senator.