Q+A-Will Madagascar's latest power-sharing deal hold?
By Richard Lough
ANTANANARIVO, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Yet another power-sharing deal has been brokered between Madagascar's political rivals following months of turmoil. But will this one stick? Here are some questions and answers on:
WHAT'S IN THE LATEST AGREEMENT?
* Coup-instigator Andry Rajoelina remains president of Madagascar but he will be flanked by two co-presidents.
* Deposed leader Marc Ravalomanana has named Fetison Andrianirina, a close ally and former head of his negotiation team, as one co-president.
* The other is Emmanuel Rakotovahiny, picked as vice-president in last month's re-jigging of top jobs. The latest agreement struck in Addis Ababa scrapped the post of vice president.
* Eugene Mangalaza, a relative unknown picked in October, keeps the prime minister's office. Mangalaza, put forward by exiled former President Didier Ratsiraka, is considered politically neutral.
* Backers of Mangalaza, a social anthropology and philosophy professor, say this suits Madagascar's needs.
* There will be 31 cabinet posts: six for each of the four political movements and seven for "other political forces".
IS THIS A WIN-WIN SITUATION?
* On the face of it, this is a deal that allows both Rajoelina and Ravalomanana to claim victory.
* Rajoelina, 35, has previously failed to win the international community's backing after regional blocs suspended the oil and mineral-endowed country. He is now Madagascar's internationally-recognised leader.
* Ravalomanana, who lives in exile in South Africa, re-enters the arena with a hold on the co-presidency, although he will play no direct role in the transitional government.
* How executive power is shared and exercised between the president and the twin-headed, presidential council will perhaps determine who the bigger winner is. Continued...



