constituteproject.org • Head of state replacement PDF generated: 23 May 2016, 16:14 Article 53 After the declaration by the High Constitutional Court of the vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic, it proceeds to the election of a new President of the Republic within a time period of 30 days at least and 60 days at most, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 46 and 47 of the Constitution. During the period running from the declaration of the vacancy to the investiture of the new President of the Republic, or to the lifting of the temporary impediment, application of Articles 60, 100, 103, 162 and 163 of the Constitution may not be made. • Head of government removal • Head of government selection Article 54 The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister, presented by the majority party or group of parties in the National Assembly. He terminates the functions of the Prime Minister, either by the presentation by him of the resignation of the Government, or in the case of grave fault or manifest failure. • Head of state powers • Head of state decree power • Head of state decree power • Selection of active-duty commanders • Referenda Article 55 The President of the Republic:   1°. presides over the Council of Ministers;   2°. signs the ordinances taken in the Council of Ministers in the cases and the conditions specified by this Constitution;   3°. signs the decrees deliberated in the Council of Ministers;   4°. proceeds, in the Council of Ministers, to the appointments to the high offices of the State of which the list is established by decree taken in the Council of Ministers;   5°. may, on any important issue of national character, decide in the Council of Ministers, on direct recourse to the expression of the will of the People by way of referendum;   6°. determines and orders, in the Council of Ministers, the general policy of the State;   7°. controls the implementation of the of the general policy so defined and the action of the government;   8°. has at his disposal the organs of control of the Administration. The President of the Republic may delegate certain of his powers to the Prime Minister. Madagascar 2010 Page 14