In his hometown of Toliara in southern Madagascar, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko announced his candidacy for the 2023 presidential election on August 31, 2023.
This decision was made after traveling across the country for several months to listen to the Malagasy citizens. Siteny wanted to directly understand their aspirations, problems, and listen to their own solutions to pull the country out of the quagmire it’s sinking into. This was the essence of the Mihava tour (Mihaino Antsika Vahoaka), which has covered dozens of cities in Madagascar, as well as Paris. He is accompanied by many parliamentarians in this direct democracy initiative. The gathered insights have steered his thinking on what should be incorporated into his plan to revive the nation, ACTES (Acceleration of Growth for the Economic and Social Transformation of Madagascar).
His candidacy for the 2023 presidential election is a natural progression of his political journey that began with the 2013 legislative elections. He won the Toliara 1 constituency as an independent candidate against one backed by the ruling regime. During his first term, he was elected the First Questor of the National Assembly. This tenure was particularly marked by his opposition to the Base Toliara project, which he saw as detrimental to both the environment and the people. Siteny was subsequently re-elected as a member of National Assembly in 2019.
In the 2018 presidential election, he had supported Andry Rajoelina at the latter’s request, but became disillusioned with his failure to honor promises to restore democracy and to grow the economy in Madagascar. As Rajoelina’s presidential term unfolded, Siteny observed the deteriorating socio-economic conditions. Concerned about the trajectory his homeland was taking, he decided to step up and seize the opportunity to realize his vision for the betterment of Madagascar.
