PORT-AU-PRINCE, (Reuters) – Haiti’s lawmakers selected an opposition senator who served as interior minister under former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide as interim president yesterday, in a move aimed at filling a power vacuum threatening stability in the Caribbean nation.
Senate chief Jocelerme Privert, 63, was due to be sworn in later yesterday as the provisional president. His main task will be to quickly organise fresh elections.
Haiti cancelled a runoff presidential election in January amid often violent protests over alleged fraud in the first round and after the opposition candidate boycotted the vote.
Privert vowed to complete the elections and hand over to an elected president by May 14. “I will engage in dialogue with all sectors to get the country out of crisis,” he said.
Former President Michel Martelly finished his term a week ago with no elected successor.
Under an agreement struck before Martelly left office, the interim government will have a 120 day term but should organize elections by April 24, and hand power over to the winner in May.
Privert’s selection could help calm the protests led by factions of Aristide’s Lavalas movement, which believed elections organised under Martelly were not free and fair.
