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ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Political instability is looming in Madagascar, where lawmakers voted this week to impeach the country's president, who disputed the outcome and whose supporters say the result was falsified.
The issue goes to the constitutional court for review.
Guy Rivo Randrianarisoa, a parliamentarian who voted for impeachment, said the president did not respect parliament's role and has no solution for the problems facing the country. Alleged constitutional violations by the president include not respecting the secular nature of the state by involving church leaders in political matters and also interfering in parliament's work, he said.
Randrianarisoa said 121 out of 125 lawmakers who were present for the parliamentary vote on Tuesday favored impeachment, securing a two-thirds majority required for an impeachment motion. The national assembly has 151 members. But President Hery Rajaonarimampianina says they fell short of the majority. His supporters alleged that the final count was falsified and that only about 80 parliamentarians voted for impeachment.
Rajaonarimampianina says lawmakers are bitter about not being granted certain perks such as new vehicles.
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