World’s fourth-largest island to vote on next head of state amid political crisis, rampant poverty

An attempt to return home by Madagascar’s deposed president Marc Ravalomanana has been thwarted in the air by Malagasy ground control.

Urging reconciliation in Madagascar, former president Didier Ratsiraka has returned home, ending a nine-year exile in France.

Madagascan parties have signed an agreement allowing the return of Marc Ravalomanana whose 2009 ouster plunged the country into political paralysis.

Madagascans vote on Sunday for the Indian Ocean island’s Parliament, with President Marc Ravalomanana’s party tipped to continue its domination of the Assembly. Ravalomanana…