Haiti: Jovenel Moïse names Fritz-William Michel new Prime Minister

AFP | Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse on Monday named Fritz-William Michel prime minister, following the resignation of his predecessor who failed to win parliamentary approval for his government.

Formerly an executive in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Michel is Moïse’s 4th head of government in his two-and-a-half years in office.

The president made the announcement in a Monday night Twitter post, but must formalize it with an official decree.

Michel’s appointment came after consultations between Moïse and the leaders of the 2 chambers of parliament, signaling a resumption of dialog between the 3 political heavyweights after months of turmoil.

Moïse has had his power to appoint ministers challenged and faced calls to resign after the High Court of Auditors in May released a report saying Moïse was at the center of an “embezzlement scheme” that siphoned off Venezuelan aid money meant for fixing roads.

“I am looking you right in the eye to tell you today: your president, the one you voted for, is not involved in corruption,” Moïse responded at an official ceremony in the capital Port-au-Prince last month.

Michel faces the tough task of restoring public confidence in Haiti’s leadership.

Many Haitians live below the poverty line, the inflation rate has risen past 18 percent and violent crime has surged.

Port-au-Prince is particularly hard-hit, with clashes between armed gangs occurring almost daily.