Hery Rajaonarimampianina, 55, took the oath of office at a municipal stadium in the capital, calling for national unity and reaching out to political rivals to help return the Indian Ocean island nation to its past glory.
"I ask you my political family and friends, help me to promote the great destiny of national unity," he said.
"I want you to understand that it is not about us but about Madagascar, our collective future and our place."
The man he defeated in the December 20 presidential run-off, Robinson Jean Louis, was among those present at the inauguration ceremony.
Jean Louis, the candidate backed by ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana, conceded defeat yesterday.
He told reporters that "this time, the opposition will be able to advise the state" instead of "always opposing, disrupting and marching on the streets."
International observers gave the vote the green light and called on the parties to respect the electoral process.
You’ve hit your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online
Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app