Funny week back to school at the Malagasy National Assembly. The opening of the budget session in Parliament began with heated debates on internal subjects: namely, the acquisition of 4x4s for the 163 newly elected or re-elected deputies. Discussions which took place behind closed doors between the representatives of the people and the Minister of Economy and Finance, and which ended with the promise of a purchase of 4×4 for each of the elected officials. Civil society deplores, once again, the lack of transparency in these exchanges.
3 mins
With our correspondent in Madagascar, Sarah Tétaud
In the majority of cases, when MPs Malagasy are asking for a closed session, it is because it is a question of talking about finances and advantages which concern them directly. This week’s case was no exception. It was therefore noted that the 4×4 vehicles requested will be made in the form of a purchase in leasing for a period of five years, like their parliamentary mandate, with a concessionaire on the island (the name of the concessionaire has not been revealed).
The amounts to be repaid each month will be taken from MPs’ fuel credits. Negotiations which did not fail to provoke a reaction from civil society. Hony Radert is the general secretary of the CCOC, the Collective of Citizens and Citizen Organizations: “ With each new legislature, the question of 4x4s for MPs comes up again. We are fully aware that, given road conditionsMPs need all-terrain vehicles to be able to travel in certain areas of Madagascar. But here, it is also a question of putting back on the table the role of deputies which is to preserve the finances of the State, the finances of the citizens. It is therefore already a question of taking stock of what has become of the old 4x4s used by previous deputies. Because there is no reason why we have to renew this automobile fleet each legislature. »
“ Are there things to hide from citizens ? »
For civil society, these are questions of transparency and accountability of deputies, who must be a “ example in this area », insists Hony Radert. And so, he continues, “ what is the need to talk behind closed doors about the benefits? Are there things to hide from citizens? On the contrary, these are things that must be transparent, especially since citizens have the right to this transparency and the right to know how much MPs are paid and what we get in return from the deputies. Given the diligence that the deputies have demanded from the executive in relation to these 4x4s, we hope that they will have the same desire to have more explanations, more reports in relation to the problems water, electricity that we are experiencing today and also, above all, in relation to the budget. »
The 2025 finance bill should be tabled next week in the Assembly. Civil society hopes for real substantive debates around the budget and not yet another vote without discussion.
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