Haiti has reached a deal for a transitional government after President Michel Martelly’s term expired without an elected successor.
Under the terms of the agreement, which was reached 22 hours before Martelly’s term expired, Haiti’s Parliament will elect an interim President for a term of 120 days and then confirm a consensus Prime Minister.
Continuation of the delayed second round of presidential elections will then take place on April 24, with the new President, elected by that process, set to be installed May 14, 2016.
Martelly signed the agreement with National Assembly President Jocelerme Privert and Vice President Cholzer Chancy.
“The situation in Haiti is exceptional and it required exceptional solutions. We are pleased that the stakeholders have all committed themselves to democracy, peace and stability, amid a constitutional vacuum created by the absence of an elected President to replace Mr Martelly,” said Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders, who is the Chair of the Permanent Council of the OAS. “We wish the stakeholders every success as we encourage them to implement the formula for going forward.”
Of course, the agreement relies on Parliament ratifying the appointments, which, in Haiti, is rarely a quick process.