Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Madagascar to protest the results of December's presidential election. Even the president's own foreign minister is calling for dialogue between the two sides to try to bring an end to the standoff.

The crowd Wednesday was smaller than the massive numbers that turned out for Monday's protest. But the demonstration still filled up the main thoroughfare, Independence Avenue, bringing the capital to a standstill.

The protesters took a day off Tuesday after opposition presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana called for a stay-at-home strike that literally shut the city down.

He won 46 percent of the vote in December's presidential election, according to official results. Current President Didier Ratsiraka came in second with 40 percent. The high court has refused to declare a winner since neither man took more than 50 percent; a second round of elections is scheduled later this month.

But Mr. Ravalomanana claims the vote was rigged. He says he actually won 52 percent, and that no second round of voting should be necessary. He told his followers to go on strike and take to the streets. Massive, peaceful protests have disrupted life in the capital, Antananarivo, for the last week-and-a-half. Most businesses have been closed the whole time.

Madagascar's minister of foreign affairs, Lila Ratsifandrihamanana, says the situation is hurting the country's economy. She is calling on the two candidates to resolve their dispute quickly and peacefully.

"The situation is already difficult. There is a crisis and we are aware of this social crisis. We can't ignore this situation. That's why I think the most important at this time is the dialogue between the two parts," she said.

Despite her job as foreign minister, Ms. Ratsifandrihhamanana is not a member of President Ratsiraka's ruling party. She has said she cannot speak for the president about this situation. She is speaking on behalf of her party and herself.

"We need dialogue between two parts that's why we ask from abroad the international community to come here to see what exactly happened, what is the situation in the country, and to find with us the solution of this crisis," she said.

Mr. Ravalomanana has also been calling on the international community for help in resolving the crisis. He has asked a delegation of European officials to come to Madagascar and conduct an independent audit of the first round of voting. Only if they verify that the results are genuine will he call off the protests and agree to a second round.

President Ratsiraka has been keeping a very low profile. He has not spoken to the press recently about the situation. It is not clear whether he will agree to allow the Europeans to examine the results of the first round, but he has refused similar requests before.

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