Haiti’s opposition on Tuesday rejected a proposal by outgoing President Michel Martelly to form a temporary government to organize elections, after a run-off presidential vote was canceled last month amid violence and allegations of fraud. Martelly, who heads Haiti’s government, is due to leave office on Sunday. A Jan. 24 run-off to choose his successor was canceled after sometimes violent protests erupted against what the opposition said was fraud in the first round. Under a proposal drawn up by Martelly and parliamentary leaders, Prime Minister Evans Paul would resign and be replaced by a candidate to be approved by parliament, government-allied lawmaker Gary Bodeau said.
A source at Paul’s office said on Monday the prime minister had drafted a resignation letter, and a source at the presidential palace said early on Tuesday that the letter had been received.
However, an aide to Paul said later on Tuesday the letter was ultimately never sent, and that therefore his resignation had not been tendered.
Lawmaker Bodeau said the eventual new prime minister would rule jointly with a council of ministers after Martelly, a former singer known as “Sweet Micky,” leaves office and until new elections were organized by May.
Full Article: Haiti opposition rejects president’s plan for interim government | Reuters.
