The Senate existed under the First Republic (1958–1975) and was a weaker body than the
National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. Only the National Assembly could vote on a
motion of censure against the government. Two-thirds of the First Republic Senators were elected by provincial and municipal bodies, serving six-year terms (with half of the seats up for election every three years), while the other one-third were appointed by the government. Under the Second Republic (1975–1993), the Senate was abolished, leaving the National Assembly as a
unicameral parliament. Under the Third Republic (1993–present), the Senate was restored only after the term of
Albert Zafy (1993-1997), with two-thirds of the Senators being indirectly elected and the other one-third being appointed by the President. As was the case during the First Republic, it cannot vote to censure the government, but it also cannot be dissolved. previously,
Rajemison Rakotomaharo was President of the Senate from 2002 to 2008. In March 2009 interim-president
Andry Rajoelina dissolved both Houses of Parliament. On 29 December 2015 elections were held for the Senate, 42 senators were elected by mayors and councillors. These were the first elections since the dissolving of the Senate in 2009. On 1 February 2016 the remaining 21 senators were appointed by President
Hery Rajaonarimampianina. In 2019, the number was reduced from 33 to 18, in accordance with a decree of President
Andry Rajoelina. After the
2025 Malagasy coup d'état, interim President
Michael Randrianirina announced the dissolution of the Senate. ==Current members==