Madagascar President Rajoelina impeached by lawmakers - Reuters witness

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina, speaks as he appoints military general Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as Prime Minister at the Lavoloha Presidential Palace, following government dissolution amid protests over power and water shortages, in Antananarivo, Madagascar October 6, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) -Lawmakers in Madagascar impeached President Andry Rajoelina on Tuesday, with 130 yes votes to one blank ballot, escalating a political crisis after he dissolved the national assembly following youth protests that forced him to flee the nation.

The presidency said that the meeting was unconstitutional and that any decision or resolution resulting from it was "null and void" following the dissolution of the assembly. Rajoelina has refused to step down despite weeks of Gen Z protests and widespread defections in the army.

(Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary; writing by Ammu Kannampilly, Editing by William Maclean)