How did the 1956 Overseas Territories Law change Madagascar's government?

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The Overseas Territories Law of 1956 significantly altered Madagascar's governance by establishing an executive branch that was elected by the local assembly. This reform marked a shift toward greater local political control within the French Union, following a period of political inactivity that had persisted since the 1947 insurrection.12

This change in the structure of government facilitated the rise of new political organizations, such as the Social Democratic Party (PSD) founded by Philibert Tsiranana. These developments eventually paved the way for the 1958 referendum, in which Madagascar voted for autonomy within the French Community.12