In a dramatic turn of events, the Presidency of Madagascar has announced the dissolution of the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the country’s Parliament. The decision was confirmed through an official presidential decree issued on Tuesday, citing Article 60 of the Constitution as its legal basis.

According to local media, the dissolution came at a tense moment when lawmakers were reportedly collecting signatures to convene an extraordinary session aimed at impeaching President Andry Rajoelina. However, Vice President of the Assembly, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, dismissed the decree as lacking legal validity due to what he described as the absence of proper constitutional validation.

The political crisis follows weeks of mass protests that began in late September, initially over frequent power outages and water shortages but which have since evolved into demonstrations demanding government reform and leadership change. The unrest has grown more intense as sections of the military have begun expressing support for the protesters.

On Sunday, the presidency warned that there was an ongoing “attempt to seize power illegally and by force,” calling on citizens and national institutions to defend constitutional order and sovereignty. The following day, President Andry Rajoelina announced in a video message that he had taken refuge in a safe location after what he described as an assassination attempt on his life.

The latest developments signal a deepening political crisis in Madagascar, with fears of further instability as both the government and protesters harden their positions.