ADVERTISEMENT
Fritz Jean
Six candidates wanting to be the next Prime Minister of Haiti
here is a picture of the Six candidates who want to become the next Prime Minister of Haiti under Head of State, Jocelerme Privert
Mirlande Manigat, presented by the JISTIS platform
Edgard Leblanc Fils, proposed by the majority bloc in the Chamber of Deputies
Fritz Jean, proposed by the civil society and human rights organizations
Jacques Sampeur, proposed by the G30,
Joanas Gay, proposed by the platform Vérité
Simon Dieuseul Desras, presented by the platform Palmis
During his first press conference on February 19th, 2016, Jocelerme Privert, the provisional president of Haiti, announced the names of six probable contenders for the Prime Minister's seat. They were: Ms. Myrlande Manigat (representing JISTIS platform), economist Fritz Jean (proposed by the civil society and human rights organizations), former Senator Edgard Leblanc Fils (proposed by the majority bloc in the Chamber of Deputies and the minority bloc in the Senate of the Republic), Jacques Sampeur (proposed by the G30), former Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras (proposed by the platform Palmis) and former Minister Joanas Gay (proposed by the platform Vérité). However, after extensive discussions in the Parliament on Wednesday, February 24, that number reduced to three, Mirlande Manigat, Edgar Leblanc Fils and Fritz Jean. Finally, economist Fritz Jean was chosen by Haiti's provisional President Jocelerme Privert on late Thursday, on February 25, 2016.
Fritz Jean, Document verification
Here is a picture of Prime Minister Nominee Fritz Jean submitting his document for verification in the process of ratification.
Haitian Prime Minister Nominee Fritz Jean has submitted his document to the 7-member parliament committee for verification and justification of his candidature in anticipation of securing the vote of confidence. However, only four of the seven deputies in the commission have approved his document. Earlier, the announcement of Fritz Jean as the new Prime Minister by the interim President Jocelerme Privert was criticized by many opponents as it was contempt of Haitian constitution, because Privert's announcement was made without any confidence vote, without the approval of the presidents of the both houses of the Parliament, and without the confirmation of the eligibility of Fritz-Alphonse Jean as the new Prime Minister.
Statement from Pastor, Senator Andris Riché
A quite strong statement from a seating Haitian Senaator and a pastor. Statement from Pasteur, Senator Andris Riché
Senator Andris Riché on 2/29/16: "President Jocelerme Privert et Premier Ministre Fritz Jean sont deux Lavalassies qui ont deja perpétré mile et un coups dans la politique du pays et symbolisent le retour des rats ravageurs, canaille, delinquents en costumes".
Recently, on February 29, 2016, following the announcement of the name of economist Fritz Jean as the new Prime Minister, Senator Andris Riche went back to his atrocious vocabulary before the press to describe how the Lavalas movement was started by the former President Jean Bertrand Aristide. He believes President Jocelerme Privert and Prime Minister Fritz Jean, both are followers of Aristide and members of his Lavalas party which has damaged the Haitian politic severely. He did not hesitate to refer the Provisional President Privert and Prime Minister Nominee Fritz Jean as rats, rabble, delinquents who only dress like humans. Senator Andris Riche from the Alternative for Progress & Democracy party was the Vice President of the Senate following the departure of former President Simon Dieuseul Desras; he was elected as the Senate President in January 2015. This Senator from Grand Anse is a Pastor by occupation. On December 16, 2006, he was kidnapped by gunmen while driving near a dangerous slum, but he foiled the kidnapping attempt by escaping after several hours in captivity.
Prime Minister Nominee Fritz Jean hunting for votes
Here is a picture of Prime Minister Nominee Fritz.
Prime Minister Nominee Fritz Jean now has to legalize his appointment by securing a vote of confidence in the Parliament by securing 16 votes in the Senate and 60 votes in the Lower House. The task looks difficult, because there is no political group in both houses with absolute majority that can make him through. Currently, the Senate is composed of two groups. The majority opposition (G15) on his side has 15 Senators, including the President of the Upper House of whom the President may not vote. Thus, he has to convince two Senators from the minority group (G9) to cast vote in his favor. The Lower House is again composed of three major political groups such as, 48 Deputies from Parliamentary Alliance for Haiti" (APH) or G48; 33 Deputies from the "Parliamentary Group at the Listening of the People"; and 11 independent deputies from the" Group of independent deputies" (GPI). If Fritz wants to get 60 votes, he has to convince some of his hardcore opponents from G 48.
Decree appointing Fritz Alphonse Jean as Prime Minister
Here is a copy of the decree appointing economist Fritz Alphonse Jean as Prime Minister of Haiti.
On February 26, 2016, Jocelerme Privert, the interim President of Haiti has appointed well known Haitian economist Fritz Alphonse Jean (59) as the new Prime Minister of the provisional government. When Privert announced the name of Fritz- Jean as the new Prime Minister, former Prime Minister Evans Paul could not hide his dissatisfaction. He has openly stated that the accord signed between Jocelerme Privert and former President Michel Martelly has entrusted Privert the responsibility to complete the remaining election process, the final run off between Jovenel Moise and Jude Celestin within the scheduled date on April 24, 2016 and install a new President on May 14, 2016. Since Privert was the principal architect of the agreement with his erstwhile capacity as the Senate Chief, he must strictly respect that agreement. The announcement of Fritz-Alphonse Jean as the new Prime Minister by the new provisional president is contempt of the Haitian constitution. Such announcement was made without any confidence vote, without the approval of the presidents of the both houses of the Parliament, and without the confirmation of the eligibility of Fritz-Alphonse Jean as the Prime Minister. Professor Fritz Alphonse Jean is a Cap-Haitien born U.S. educated economist, politician and writer who had served as the governor of the Banque de la République d'Haïti between 1996 and 2001. He studied economics and mathematics in the United States, in New York. Since 2012, he had served as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Professions of the North East Department. In his acceptance speech, Jean has acknowledged that his task is huge. It is something more than organizing a fair election; he has to re-establish the macro- economic stability in the country. All Haitians must set aside their differences for the sake of the country to take it out of the present social and economic difficulties.
After having multiple exchanges with various sections of the society for nearly two weeks, and having consultations with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Cholzer Chancy, and Deputy Senate President, Ronald Larèche, the Provisional President Privert has chosen him as the new Prime Minister. Privet is of opinion that the appointment of Jean in no way contravenes the Haitian constitution. His appointment was made in accordance with the constitution in force and respecting the agreement of 6 February, 2016. The parliament, with supports from the both houses of the government, would confirm the eligibility of the consensus prime minister. Following the vote of confidence, the new Prime Minister will be installed to his functions.
President Jocelerme Privert, appointed Prime Minister Fritz Jean
Here is a picture of Haiti's provisional president Jocelerme Privert with appointed prime minister Fritz Jean on February 26, 2016 during his investiture ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Jean has acknowledged that his task is huge. It is a lot more than creating the necessary conditions to hold a free, fair and credible presidential election; simultaneously, he has to re-establish the macro- economic stability in the country. Jean has also said that the country is facing serious social and economic difficulties. We must set aside our differences for the sake of the country. Jean as a person is more technocrat than a politician. He was tapped by Privert for the number two job in the administration after two weeks of consultations with political and civic leaders.
However, the appointment of Fritz, Jean as the new Prime Minister is not free from controversies. As per amended Haitian constitution (1987), a Prime Minister must get a vote of confidence from the parliament. Some members from the Martelly's camp are arguing that Jean is neither apolitical nor the consensus prime minister that the accord demands. He and the interim President Jocelerme Privert have the same political root (Fanmi Lavalas Party). However, some analysts are of opinion that Jean's selection is a sign of Privert's optimism that the provisional government could play a larger role than merely organizing elections.
Economist Fritz Jean,
Here is a picture of Haitian Economist Fritz Jean, President Jocelerme Privert & Appointed Prime Minister Fritz Jean
On February 26, 2016, the interim President of Haiti Jocelerme Privert appointed reputable economist Fritz Jean (59) as the new Prime Minister of provisional government. As per Anthony Barbier, the Secretary General of the National Palace, the President has signed an executive order for this appointment. Fritz Alphonse Jean is a Cap-Haitien born U.S. educated economist, politician and writer who had served as the governor of the Banque de la République d'Haïti between 1998 and 2001. He studied economics and mathematics in the United States, in New York. Since 2012, he had served as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Professions of the North East Department. His two main publications (in French)-- a novel titled "Amethys - Open Wounds" and an economic and historical overview of Haiti, "Haiti - The End of an Economic History".
Evans Paul refusing to participate at Fritz Jean' investiture
here is a picture of Prime Minister Evans Paul and his ministers on the day of the investiture of Fritz Jean as New Prime Minister. Evans Paul refusing to participate at Fritz Jean investiture.
On Friday, February 26th, when Jocelerme Privert announced the name of Fritz-Alphonse Jean as the new Prime Minister, Evans Paul could not conceal his dissatisfaction. In a press meeting with Marie Lucie Bonhomme Opont (wife of CEP President Mr. Pierre-Louis Opont) on February 23, he announced that he would not take part in the investiture of the new PM nominee, because his presence at this investiture would be considered as a symbolic support to this chaotic environment. This announcement of the new Prime Minister by the new provisional president is contempt of the Haitian constitution. Furthermore, the name of Fritz-Alphonse Jean as the new Prime Minister has been announced without the approval of the presidents of the both houses of Parliament, or without the confirmation of the eligibility of Fritz-Alphonse Jean as the Prime Minister and moreover, no confidence vote was taken. The announcement also contravenes the February 6, 2016 agreement.
We might remember that during the investiture of Jocelerme Privert as the Provisional President, Prime Minister Evans Paul was noticed among the attendees, standing in the crowd like an onlooker in a marginalized manner. Was it a coded message from the new provisional president that to let the Haitian Prime Minister know that he has no place in his new administration?
Haiti Prime Ministers Fritz Jean and Evans Paul together
If you think you are seing double by looking at Haitian Prime Minister Fritz Jean and Prime Minister Evans Paul you are not crazy. It is in fact just that the two Prime Ministers of Haiti side by side. Not only they are side by side, they are both Prime Ministers at the same time under the Provisional President Jocelerme Privert. As the confusion is unfolding to know which of these two individuals who has the reall authority as Prime Minister, Mr. Fritz Jean just deposited his required document at the Haitian Parliament for verification and at the same time enjoys the security and services accorded to a Prime Minister. On the other hand, Mr. Evans Paul still considers himself as Prime Minister since he did not give his official resignation as Prime Minister