Page 11 - Aruba Today
P. 11
WORLD NEWS A11
Monday 15 February 2016
Haiti lawmakers elect Senate chief as provisional president
ble together plans for a were eventually dismissed
short-term provisional gov- alleged the former Cabi-
ernment and a roadmap net minister orchestrated
to hold the postponed a massacre of President
presidential and legislative Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s
runoffs. As Senate chief, Pri- opponents during the
vert was a central figure in buildup to an armed rebel-
those talks. lion that ousted Aristide. Pri-
Privert faces an uphill bat- vert always maintained he
tle in bringing the troubled was a political prisoner and
country and its perennially had no involvement in any
feuding politicians togeth- killings.
er. In recent days, some Privert recently told The
demonstrators took to the Associated Press that
capital’s streets to protest a new electoral council will
against his inclusion as a be created soon to ensure
candidate for provisional that the postponed runoff
president, while others voting is fair and transpar-
marched to support him. ent. The accord on the in-
The elevation to interim terim government says the
leader is a dramatic trans- vote should be held April
formation for Privert, who 24, but Privert has stressed
was jailed for over two that the next council is re-
years at the start of Haiti’s sponsible for confirming the
last provisional govern- date and all other elector-
ment in 2004. Charges that al matters.q
A demonstrator chants in favor of Senate President Jocelerme Privert during a march in Port-au-
Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016.
Associated Press
DAVID McFADDEN that of a powerbroker who more than Edgard Leblanc,
Associated Press hopefully carries enough a former Senate president
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) weight to quickly smooth who was being backed by
— Lawmakers chose the political divisions that have Martelly’s political faction.
Senate chief on Sunday to left Haiti without a presi- But after closed-door ne-
lead a caretaker govern- dent chosen by voters or a gotiations, Privert became
ment that will fill the void completed Parliament due interim president after 3
left by the end of President to suspended elections. a.m. in a second round
Michel Martelly’s term last Prime Minister Evans Paul of voting that gave him
week and perhaps ease remains in office for now, a clear majority of hand-
tensions that suspended but Privert and lawmakers written votes from senators
elections and pushed are expected to choose and lower house deputies.
deeply polarized Haiti into a No. 2 official in coming Martelly, who was barred
political crisis. days. by Haiti’s constitution from
In the early hours of Sun- During a speech to law- seeking a consecutive
day, Jocelerme Privert was makers hours before their term as president, left of-
elected as provisional pres- final vote, Privert promised fice a week ago without
ident and sworn in after a that if selected he would a new elected leader in
plodding session by Haiti’s lead a caretaker adminis- place. A runoff presidential
bicameral legislature. He tration that would “foster election was delayed for
was formally installed in the confidence within all sec- a second time last month
afternoon before a crowd tors of society,” ensure sta- amid violent opposition
of Haitian officials and for- bility and see that suspend- protests and deep public
eign diplomats. ed elections are held “as suspicions about possible
The veteran politician was soon as possible.” vote-rigging in favor of his
one of three candidates He submitted his resigna- chosen successor.
vying to lead an interim tion letter from the Senate Less than 24 hours before
government that is sup- to start his new post. Martelly was set to step
posed to last only 120 days. An initial vote by legislators down Feb. 7, top Haitian
His new position will be gave Privert just two votes leaders managed to cob-
