President Michael Randrianirina named a 30-member Cabinet on Wednesday, replacing the previous administration that was dissolved along with Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo.
The new team, presented at the Iavoloha Palace south of the capital Antananarivo, includes 17 holdovers from the prior government and 13 newcomers. Nine women joined the Cabinet, which also features the recently appointed Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison, a longtime anti-corruption official and former director general of the Financial Intelligence Unit.
The reshuffle comes weeks after Randrianirina dismissed the entire previous government in early March. Rajaonarison, known for her work combating financial crimes, was named prime minister on 15 March, bringing expertise in governance and transparency to the top post.
17 ministers retained their roles or similar positions, signaling some policy continuity amid the transition. The 13 new appointees are expected to inject fresh perspectives into efforts addressing longstanding challenges such as economic recovery, infrastructure and public services.
First major reshuffle since power transition
The move represents Randrianirina’s initial significant Cabinet overhaul since he assumed leadership following widespread protests that forced out former President Andry Rajoelina in October 2025. The youth-led demonstrations, triggered by chronic power and water shortages, escalated into a broader movement that led to Rajoelina’s departure and a military-backed transitional framework.
Randrianirina, who heads the Council of the Presidency for the Refoundation of the Republic, has positioned the government as a bridge toward renewed democratic institutions. The dissolution of the prior Cabinet and swift formation of the new one underscore efforts to stabilize governance while responding to public demands for change.
Randrianirina has pledged to organize elections next year under the transitional framework known as the “Refoundation of the Republic.” The initiative aims to address deep-rooted issues including corruption, institutional weaknesses and economic hardship that fueled last year’s unrest.
Observers note the inclusion of experienced officials alongside new voices as a pragmatic step in a nation still navigating its post-protest realities. The Cabinet’s composition, with a notable female presence, may signal broader inclusivity in decision-making.
The government faces immediate pressures to deliver tangible improvements in daily services and economic stability, areas that sparked the protests ousting the previous administration.
