Haiti: President Martelly announces new government

Haiti’s president, Michel Martelly, has announced the formation of a new government in a bid to rescue the country from a political stalemate.

Late last week, Martelly promised to use his executive authority to form a consensus government after parliament was dissolved last week due to the failure to hold elections.

Despite promising a new government Martelly kept several current cabinet members in their posts including the ministers of health, tourism, education, foreign affairs, defense and public works.

The 18 ministers and 16 secretaries of state will be sworn in on Monday afternoon, Martelly said in an official statement on his Facebook page.

Martelly urged anti-government protesters to maintain order as he seeks to steer the country toward new elections. He also swore in a new prime minister – the former mayor of the country’s capital Port-au-Prince, Evans Paul.

Haiti has not held legislative or municipal elections for three years, leaving parliament without a quorum as terms expired and Martelly has ruled by executive authority.

Haiti is scheduled to hold presidential elections at the end of this year. Municipal and legislative elections could be held this summer, though Martelly has not announced a date yet and must first form an Electoral Council.