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| (FILES) In this file photo taken on September 14, 2018 Senator Evaliere Beauplan debates with other colleagues during the ratification session of Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant’s general policy in Port-au-Prince on September 14, 2018.<br />The Haitian senate on September 2018, approved the new government’s general polices, a necessary first step before it can begin functioning, two months after the last premier was forced to resign after attempting to impose unpopular austerity measures. / AFP PHOTO / Pierre Michel JEAN |
Lawmakers at Haiti’s lower house voted in favor of the new government in the early hours of Sunday after a marathon session lasting more than 10 hours.
New prime minister, Jean-Henry Ceant, had responded to questions through the night before majority lawmakers demanded an end to the debate over opposition objections.
In a heated atmosphere, 84 deputies voted in favor of the new prime minister while five voted against, and four abstained.
Haiti’s Senate had approved the new government’s general policies following a more than 15-hour session that concluded early on Saturday, with it then being put to a vote of confidence at the Chamber of Deputies.
A notary by training who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2010 and 2016, Ceant was named to the post by President Jovenel Moise on August 5.
But in a sign of discord between the legislative and presidential branches, it took a month to reach agreement on his 18-member cabinet.
Tension remains high in Haiti after a series of riots against rising fuel prices gripped Port-au-Prince in July that forced the resignation of prime minister Jack Guy Lafontant.
Mass protests which turned deadly erupted on July 6 after a government unveiled major fuel price hikes — 38 percent for gasoline, 47 percent for diesel and 51 percent for kerosene.
AFP
New prime minister, Jean-Henry Ceant, had responded to questions through the night before majority lawmakers demanded an end to the debate over opposition objections.
In a heated atmosphere, 84 deputies voted in favor of the new prime minister while five voted against, and four abstained.
Haiti’s Senate had approved the new government’s general policies following a more than 15-hour session that concluded early on Saturday, with it then being put to a vote of confidence at the Chamber of Deputies.
A notary by training who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2010 and 2016, Ceant was named to the post by President Jovenel Moise on August 5.
But in a sign of discord between the legislative and presidential branches, it took a month to reach agreement on his 18-member cabinet.
Tension remains high in Haiti after a series of riots against rising fuel prices gripped Port-au-Prince in July that forced the resignation of prime minister Jack Guy Lafontant.
Mass protests which turned deadly erupted on July 6 after a government unveiled major fuel price hikes — 38 percent for gasoline, 47 percent for diesel and 51 percent for kerosene.
AFP
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