ANTANANARIVO, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The National Consultation (NC) of Madagascar was officially launched in the capital here on Wednesday, focused on a constitutional reform to pave the way for the establishment of Madagascar's Fifth Republic.

The consultation brings together a diverse group of participants, including institutional leaders, members of the government, political and diplomatic representatives, religious leaders and citizens.

The Minister of State in charge of refoundation Hanitriniaina Razafimanantsoa emphasized that the NC serves as a key pillar of the national refoundation effort designed to ensure broad public participation.

According to the minister, the NC will last six months, proceeding from fokontany (the smallest administrative unit), to communes, districts and regions.

In November, President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina announced that a national consultation would be launched to lay the foundations for a new governance system. ■