Marc Ravalomanana (born December 12, 1949 in Imerikasina) is a Malagasy politician. He is of the Merina ethnicity. He currently is the President of Madagascar.

He became mayor of the capital, Antananarivo in 1999 and ran for president in the elections of December 16, 2001. He claimed victory, as did incumbent president Didier Ratsiraka. Ratsiraka's supporters then blockaded the capital, which Ravalomanana's supporters controlled. Ravalomanana declared himself president on February 22, 2002. After a recount, on April 29, 2002 the High Constitutional Court pronounced Ravalomanana the winner of the election, and he took office on May 6. The presidency remained disputed, however, until fighting forced Ratsiraka to flee into exile on July 5, 2002, after he had lost control of most of the country's provinces.

Ravalomanana is known for his fervent Christian faith. His son married Gergana Georgieva, a Bulgarian, in March 2004.

See also

• List of state leaders

External link

• BBC News Profile of Marc Ravalanomana

1949 births | Current national leaders | Malagasy politicians | Living people

Марк Раваломанана | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Markas Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | マーク・ラヴァルマナナ | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | Marc Ravalomanana | 马克·拉瓦卢马纳纳