The Prime Minister appoints the rest of the executive, the Council of Ministers. The judicial branch is lead by the Supreme Court or Cour Supreme and the High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle. The legal system is based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law. Although power remains formally divided between the President, his Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the bicameral legislature, the Constitution revised in 1998 significantly strengthened the presidency and weakened the National Assembly. At times the Government pressures the media to curb its coverage of certain events and issues and journalists practice self-censorship.
Women continue to face some societal discrimination.
Texts and graphics may be reproduced freely, under the condition that their origin is clearly referred to, see Conditions .