In an unexpected development, the mayor's appearance before the London Assembly was abruptly cut short earlier, as opposition parties seized a procedural opportunity to try to defeat his budget aims.
However, after the defection of several TIM representatives in the old assembly, the cut in the number of seats creates the chance for a fresh start, with a new contingent of deputies who should be more loyally committed to TIM and Mr Ravalomanana.
The UK government is consulting on a proposals to redraw Welsh assembly constituencies to reflect plans to cut the number of Parliamentary constituencies.