Before the Deadline of 'Generation Z'.. Madagascar's President Faces a Public Trial Inside the Palace

Hours before the deadline given by the youth of 'Generation Z' for Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina to resign, a dialogue session he called for at the presidential palace turned into what resembled a public trial, attended by students, employees, religious leaders, and businessmen, who spoke candidly about their frustrations and hardships.

According to a report by Radio France Internationale, the session lasted more than three hours, but it did not lead to tangible results, while a nationwide strike described by the media as 'the day of truth' is expected on Thursday.

During the discussion, Rajoelina faced direct accusations of 'lying and betraying his promises', to which he responded:

> 'I took power in a country that was already sick, and my advisors deceived me into thinking everything was fine.'

The president also swore before those present that he would resign if the electricity outages in the capital continued for another year, pledging to resolve the crisis by the end of his term, alongside stopping nepotism in hiring, increasing scholarships, and renovating universities instead of new construction projects.

Despite the promises, several participants expressed their disappointment, as one prominent businessman said: 'We have been hearing the same promises for years.. It is time for actions, not words.'

Madagascar has been witnessing protests led by the youth for weeks, demanding political and economic reforms and calling for the president's departure, following a decline in living standards, ongoing electricity outages, and rampant corruption.