Madagascar’s military president. Michael Randrianirina. Has announced that new cabinet members will be required to pass lie detector tests to ensure they are free from corruption. This decision comes after he dismissed the prime minister and entire cabinet without explanation earlier this month, according to The Guardian.

Background of the Coup and Public Discontent

Randrianirina seized power in a coup in October 2025, following weeks of youth-led protests under the banner ‘Gen Z Madagascar.’ The protests initially targeted water and power cuts but quickly evolved into a demand for a complete overhaul of the political system. At least 22 people were killed in the early days of the protests, according to the United Nations.

The military unit Capsat. Which Randrianirina was a colonel in, supported the protesters on 11 October; the next day, the former president, Andry Rajoelina, reportedly fled the country for Dubai on a French military plane. Randrianirina was sworn in as interim president and has pledged to hold elections by late 2027, as However, Gen Z activists have been pressing him to confirm the date and have criticized his appointments for their perceived ties to the previous regime.

Implementation of Lie Detector Tests

Randrianirina announced on Thursday that he and the anti-corruption chief, Mamitiana Rajaonarison, would only interview ministerial candidates who passed a lie detector test. He said: “We’re not looking for someone who is 100% clean, but over 60%. That way, Madagascar will finally be able to develop.”

The president told local media: “We have decided to use a polygraph. It is with this polygraph that the background integrity checks will be carried out.” He added that the new cabinet would be announced early next week and that the tests would help identify those who could “help us” and those who might “betray the youth struggle.”

Randrianirina fired the prime minister and cabinet on 9 March, then appointed Rajaonarison as the new prime minister. The move was part of a broader effort to root out corruption and establish a government that reflects the demands of the youth-led movement.

Skepticism from Protesters

Not all members of the Gen Z Madagascar movement are convinced that lie detector tests will achieve their intended goal. One of the managers of the group’s social media accounts expressed skepticism, saying: “It’s not even scientifically proven to work. For me it’s just a joke and embarrassing.”

Despite this, the manager added: “We agree that the previous ministers weren’t good. We still have hope for the new ministers, but in general I think this regime is already better than the regime of Andry Rajoelina.”

Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a GDP per capita of just $545 in 2024, according to World Bank data. The island is rich in natural resources, including vanilla and precious gems, which campaigners say have been exploited by officials and corrupt businesspeople. The country ranked 148 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 corruption perceptions index.

Randrianirina’s decision to implement lie detector tests is part of a broader effort to address corruption and restore public trust in the government. However, the effectiveness of such measures remains in question, given the scientific controversy surrounding polygraphs and the political context in which they are being introduced.

The new cabinet is expected to be announced early next week, and the tests are likely to be a key part of the selection process. The outcome of this initiative will have significant implications for Madagascar’s political landscape and its efforts to combat corruption.

As the country moves forward, the focus will remain on whether these measures can deliver the transparency and accountability that the youth-led movement demands. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Randrianirina’s government can fulfill its promises and address the deep-rooted issues that have plagued Madagascar for years.