The party was founded by Herizo Razafimahaleo in June 1992;[1] since his death in 2008, it had been led by Manassé Esoavelomandroso while four vice-presidents were also chosen to assist him in his work: Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, Benja Razafimahaleo, Constance Razafimily, and Eloi Beandaza.
The party backed Didier Ratsiraka in the second round of the 1996 presidential election, held in December, and after his victory LEADER-Fanilo joined the government again in February 1997.
[1] Razafimahaleo, who had been Deputy Prime Minister, subsequently left the government, although the party continued to participate in it.
[1] In the parliamentary election held on 15 December 2002, the party won 3.3% of the popular vote and 2 out of 160 seats.
Razafimahaleo returned to active politics in 2006 and contested the 2006 presidential election as the LEADER-Fanilo candidate,[1] winning 9.03% of the vote.