Haiti: Evans Paul not confirmed as Prime Minister due to lack of quorum in parliament

A lack of a quorum has forced the Haitian parliament to call off a debate on key points of the political agreement to resolve the political crisis, including the confirmation of the prime minister designate, Evans Paul.

Despite hours of intense negotiations, the legislature could not reach the number of seats needed on Monday to start the session with several opposition members of parliament not occupying their seats to protest the way some points in the agreement have been laid out.

The next session of parliament is scheduled for Wednesday, announced the speaker, Dieuseul Simon Desra.

Only 70 out of the 94 members of parliament and 13 out of 20 senators were present at the session, he said.

On the lawmakers agenda is Paul’s appointment, amendments to the electoral bill and the extension of the legislators’ term that ends on January 12, among other issues.

On December 29, the three branches of the government (executive, legislative and judiciary) signed an agreement which said that the term of the members of parliament be extended until April 24 and that of the senators to September 9.

Paul was nominated by President Michel Martelly after the resignation of Laurent Lamothe.

A committee was set up by Martelly to resolve the political crisis – that has caused protests by the opposition demanding the resignation of the prime minister and president as well as the holding of fresh elections.

Source: Agencies