An official letter of resignation, signed on Monday, was the first step towards ending two years of political stalemate in the country.
Albert Camille Vitalis resigned as premier, so a new person could be chosen for the job by November, to create a transitional government that would lead the country to elections in about a year.
The moves are all part of a peace deal reached in September between most of the Indian Ocean island’s main political parties.
Andry Rajoelina, a former disc jockey, took over the country in a coup in 2009, ousting elected president Marc Ravalomanana.
Since then, the country has seen its economic situation deteriorate, as foreign donors cut off aid.
Most of Madagascar’s population lives in dire poverty. — Sapa-dpa