ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Madagascar will hold elections in early 2010 to choose the members of the country's Parliament, the African country's military-backed leader says.
Transitional authority official Andry Rajoelina confirmed the parliamentary members to be elected in the March 20 elections would be responsible for drafting a new Constitution and choosing the next prime minister, Voice of America reported Thursday. The constitution currently requires Madagascar's president to be at least 40 years old and Rajoelina is only 35.
Rajoelina also asked foreign countries to distance themselves from issues in Madagascar to allow the upcoming elections to help solve those problems.
Rajoelina took control of the country with military support last March after the departure of former President Marc Ravalomanana.
Since taking power, Rajoelina has failed to gain the support of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.
Both organizations labeled Rajoelina's position the result of a coup and promptly suspended Madagascar from their ranks, VOA said.
